Satellite remote sensing, GPS and GIS as tools for monitoring pasture mass/quality and grazing distribution at the Xilingol steppe of Inner Mongolia, China

摘要

The sustainable utilization of resources in Inner Mongolia grasslands is very important in terms of not only supporting the local and animal production but also thinking about the global environment. Satellite remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) are one of the most powerful tools to assist in grassland management in Inner Mongolia. Enhanced vegetation index from Terra MODIS image showed a good correlation with pasture mass and quality so that seasonal changes of pasture mass and quality can be estimated over a large area. Seasonal changes of grazing behaviour and its spatial distribution were obtained from global positioning system (GPS) and bite counter (BC). With integrated use such information based on the global information system (GIS), the effect of pasture mass and quality on livestock grazing behaviour can be determined at the farm scale.