Space imagery helps tackle Scotland’s wildfires

SNH’s GIS Services Manager Lachlan Renwick said: “Using European Space Agency's Copernicus programme - the most ambitious Earth Observation programme to date - is a game changer for us. Getting good quality imagery in Scotland, and particularly cloud-free photography has been an issue. But now we have two satellites coming over on a regular basis, giving us imagery every two to three days, and at a higher resolution than previously available. It’s a huge breakthrough in  mapping the extent and severity of burnt areas especially where they have impacted upon protected sites.”

Wildfires can have a devastating effect on wildlife and natural habitats. In spring 2018 there were several significant fires on Rum and in northern Sutherland, and more recently a series of wildfires in the west including Skye and Torridon. The data from orbit is processed to show how much light is reflected at different frequencies, showing in detail  the extent of fire damage on plants and the soil beneath.

Dr Graham Sullivan, uplands adviser with Scottish Natural Heritage said: “Healthy peatlands hold onto carbon, preventing its release into the atmosphere to trap heat from the sun. Wildfires burn off carbon that's been stored for thousands of years, and by burning the plants incorporated into the peat that store carbon, wildfire reduces the bog’s ability  to store more.

"Satellite imagery can play a vital part when we’re working these habitats to recover. Having information on a wildfire’s severity helps us target actions that can aid recovery of vegetation. This can include something as seemingly simple as deciding whether and when sheep are allowed to graze will dictate if heather recovers or purple moor grass takes over.”

SNH is currently in the initial stages of understanding the potential of satellite imagery, and are exploring its potential for mapping the locations of Scotland’s wildlife, and any changes over time.