Remote sensing applications for monitoring rangeland vegetation

Abstract

Remote sensing techniques hold considerable promise for the inventory and monitoring of natural resources on range‐lands. A significant lack of information concerning basic spectral characteristics of range vegetation and soils has resulted in a lack of rangeland applications. To use remote sensing technology for measuring vegetation and soil changes on rangelands, certain things must be accomplished. First, the spectral characteristics of scene components must be determined for the various vegetation types. Second, determinations must be made of the appropriate kinds of remotely sensed data that should be used for the task. And finally, procedures must be outlined for acquiring the remotely sensed data that will measure changes in the range vegetation and soils. The interpretation of the remotely sensed data for such monitoring purposes will depend upon the use of various vegetation indices, pixel modelling and appropriate statistical tests. The parameters of interest for range condition must be identified and a means of measuring them either directly or indirectly developed. The paper describes an approach to the use of remotely sensed data to accomplish rangeland monitoring.