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Comparing the 1990 and 2000 Canada Mosaics

Comparison of the imagery between 1990 and 2000 allows us to detect changes in the land cover. Study of these changes can help us understand how natural and human-made disturbances affect the landscape and can in turn provide information to policy makers. Below are several examples showing some types of change that can be detected by comparing the circa 1990 and circa 2000 image data.

Prince George, British Columbia, c. 1990
c. 1990
Prince George, British Columbia, c.2000.
c. 2000
In this example, near Prince George, BC, red areas show recent harvest activity.

In this example, near Prince George, BC, red areas show recent harvest activity. The lighter blue/grey shows areas of regeneration (brighter blue are clouds). Areas with little or no change appear grey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dawson City, Yukon Territory, c. 1990
c. 1990
Dawson City, Yukon Territory, c. 2000
c. 2000
In this example, a comparison of the 1990 and 2000 data shows (yellow polygons) recent fire activity near Dawson City in the Yukon Territory.

Fire is the primary forest disturbance in the north. In this example, a comparison of the 1990 and 2000 data shows (yellow polygons) recent fire activity near Dawson City in the Yukon Territory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Areas near Havre St-Pierre, Quebec, c. 1990
c. 1990
Areas near Havre St-Pierre, Quebec, c. 2000
c. 2000
In this example, areas near Havre St-Pierre, Quebec visible in red show where trees have died due to insect damage.

EO data can also detect changes in the forest related to insect damage. In this example, areas near Havre St-Pierre, Quebec visible in red show where trees have died due to insect damage.

Petawawa, Ontario, c. 1990
c. 1990
Petawawa, Ontario, c. 2000
c. 2000
In this example the light blue shows an area of regeneration near Petawawa, Ontario.

Deforestation is often readily apparent when comparing imagery and the removal of vegetation, particularly tree species, provide a sharp contrast on its own. Regeneration is a gradual process making it more difficult to identify. In this example the light blue shows an area of regeneration near Petawawa, Ontario.