Testing a Remote Sensing-Based Interactive System for Monitoring Grazed Conservation Lands

摘要: On the Ground • Many public agencies and land trusts that manage grazing lands are interested in using remote sensing technologies to make their monitoring programs more efficient but lack expertise do so. In California annual grasslands, is especially challenging because dominant vegetation not detectable by standard at a key time of year for monitoring. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has developed RDMapper, an easy-to-use web-based tool uses satellite-based productivity estimates, rainfall records, compliance history identify management units risk being below required level residual dry matter (RDM). TNC successfully used RDMapper 2015 2016 predict across approximately 47,000 hectares conservation easement while reducing costs 42%. We also applied on six non-TNC properties (approximately 5,700 hectares) owned two agencies. correctly predicted RDM 74% found method be successful overall, with several challenges mainly relating meeting RDMapper’s data requirements. Our study illuminated potential benefits, hurdles, best practices landowners increase efficiency, made recommendations improve it. Adding conventional toolkits could game-changing currently struggle vast grasslands.