USING REMOTE SENSING DATA TO CREATE MAPS OF VEGETATION AND RELIEF FOR NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF A LARGE ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

Abstract. The authors offer methods for mapping nature, in particular, vegetation and relief maps using remote sensing data. These thematic maps are most often used by administrators of different levels for environmental and territorial management. In the Russian Federation administrative territories occupied large areas. The algorithm for constructing visual models using remote sensing data for large administrative areas differs from the algorithms for working with small territories. Automated mapping method includes the analysis of the territory by indicators of topography and dominant vegetation, the selection of satellite images, processing, composing mosaics, composites, classification of plant objects, post-processing. The authors offer to use a specific data source, because the quality of the materials is sufficient for working with large areas. Classifications – the most complicated section. At the moment, scientists have not proposed an unambiguous solution to the choice of algorithm. However, the authors of this study experimentally came to the most convenient algorithm, which we characterize as the main one precisely for the purposes of managing natural resources of large administrative structures (regions with legally fixed boundaries). Examples of the thematic maps fragments and results of intermediate versions of visual models built by automated methods are given. The potential use of methods by municipal employees, rather than narrow specialists, was taken into account. In this regard, the value of the study is an exclusively applied nature and can be used in the administrative structures of the executive authorities.