Waterlogging / Surface Water

Field of Action:

Peatlands and Rewetting

(Sub-)Contractor:

Thünen Institute

Relevance of the indicator in the ANK:

The climate impact of peatlands depends largely on the water level in the peatland and changes to this level. Activities in the ANK action area for peatlands therefore focus on raising the water level by rewetting peatland areas as a key measure for reducing emissions. It is not possible to monitor the water level directly using Earth observation sensors, but surface water on peatland areas (flooding) provides an indirect indication of the peatland water level in the surrounding area or of rewetting that has taken place. The waterlogging indicator supports better comprehensive modelling of the bog water level and condition of an area as a basis for calculating emissions and, more generally, for evaluating the implementation of measures in natural climate protection.

Description of the Service:

The indicator is conceptually based on the overgrowth service developed in the CopGrün project and is based on the evaluation of monthly composites of Earth observation data from the Copernicus programme (Sentinel-1/-2). The existing approach is being expanded and further developed for areas with high vegetation in open land so that areas of wetland use after rewetting or areas with secondary succession can be better assessed.