Study on the spectral characteristics and remote sensing recognition of the Sphagnum community

Sphagnum species are among the most important carbon sequestration plants in peatland systems and are closely related to regional and global material energy balance. Here, we analyzed the spectral characteristics of the Sphagnum magellanicum Brid community based on the measured canopy spectrum and remote sensing sensor simulated spectrum. Results showed that the spectral differences between S. magellanicum and northern coniferous forest were obvious, and the best spectral recognition intervals were 740-1140 nm and 1230-1412 nm. In the visible light band, the ‘green peak’ position of S. magellanicum was different from that of Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelmann and Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon. Spectral identification characteristics of Phyllostachys heteroclada Oliver and S. magellanicum were concentrated in the visible-near-infrared bands at 400-550, 560-696, and 1025-1143 nm. There were subtle differences in the characteristic spectral bands between S. magellanicum, northern coniferous forest, and P. heteroclada; for example, S. magellanicum and P. heteroclada showed good separability in the visible light region, thus the characteristic spectral width of the S. magellanicum community in different latitudes was different. The infrared band was the best spectral range for S. magellanicum recognition. The recognition effect of S. magellanicum was better at the multispectral remote sensing level, whereas the recognition performance of the sensor was as follows:MSI > ALI > OLI > ASTER. In the spectral characteristic analysis of the two S. magellanicum communities, the spectral dimension reduction ability of the derivative, logarithm, and continuum removal methods was different, among which the continuum removal method was the best.