Combining Data from Satellite Images and Reindeer Herders in Arctic Petroleum Development: the Case of Yamal, West Siberia

摘要: The aim of the study is to assess capacity for satellite imagery in detecting different natural and anthropogenic land cover types vicinity a modern petroleum extraction development Russian Arctic. Yamal Peninsula northwest Siberia contains some largest untapped deposits known world. It also serves as homeland Nenets, who have exploited first wild then domestic reindeer region at least 1000 years. Their annual migration from treeline northern tundra brings them into contact with number impacts associated gas exploration production. These range widely include physical obstructions roads, railways, pipelines, well direct indirect ecological impacts, such changes vegetation, soils hydrology due e.g. drilling, infrastructure development, seismic surveys. Some effects are relatively small-scale, only few meters across, while others several hectares. Nenets’ perceptions spatial aspects their territories encompass both quantity quality terrestrial habitats, rivers, lakes campsites that been used seasonally centuries. Even high-resolution was unable detect things like trash (rusted metal, broken glass), drilling muds petro-chemicals can strongly affect overall pastures. To properly requires combination state-of-the-art remote sensing coupled detailed ground-truthing. efforts must embrace scientific local knowledge indigenous herders non-indigenous field workers.