Digital mapping of solonchak complexes using Sentinel-2A data

• Published in: E3S Web of Conferences Vol. 222; p. 1010
• Main Authors: Suleymanov, Azamat, Gabbasova, Ilyusya, Komissarov, Mikhail
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Arable land; Correlation; Digital mapping; Mapping; Quadratic equations; Regression analysis; Regression models; Salinity; Salinity effects; Salinization; Soil conductivity; Soil salinity; Soils; Vegetation; Vegetation index; Russia
• ISSN: 2267-1242; 2555-0403; 2267-1242
• DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202022201010

Land salinization is an up-to-date issue being broadly studied all over the world. In Russia, salinization processes are predominantly observed in the southern regions, where the main areas of arable land are situated. This research is devoted to mapping of saline lands with the help of satellite data. The study was performed on a 100-hectare plot in the Trans-Ural steppe zone (Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia). A correlation was determined between the level of soil salinity and the main spectral indices associated with Sentinel-2A satellite data. Regression models used 5 salinity indices, vegetation index NDVI, and values of soil conductivity. Linear, quadratic, and logarithmic functions were used. By calculation, the salinity index 5 (G×R)/B demonstrated the best correlation values with the salinity level of (R=0.88, R 2 =0.77) while using the quadratic function. The vegetation index NDVI revealed no correlation, owing to the poor development or dried-up condition of vegetation. On the basis of the developed regression models, salinity maps are drawn, in which the areas of solonchak complexes are defined.