Impact of Gold Mining on Middle Siberian Taiga Landscapes from Landsat 7 Data

A Russian-American research team investigates the impacts of long-term intensive working of gold deposits on landscapes in the Middle Siberian taiga. These impacts include the displacement of bedrock and alluvial deposits, deforestation, and increasing fire incidence. Landsat 7 satellite imagery and field data were used in assessing the information yield of satellite scanner channels in the process of classification of the registered images. A schematic electronic map was constructed that shows zones of gold mining, predominant vegetation species, cutover and burned areas, and natural and artificial water bodies.