Phytomass estimation using eMODIS NDVI and ground data in arid rangelands of Morocco. Issue 1 (2nd May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahyou, Hamid; Tychon, Bernard; Lang, Marie; Balaghi, Riad
• Is Part Of: African journal of range & forage science. Volume 35:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2018-05-02
• Subjects: arid pasture -- biomass -- Morocco -- regression model -- vegetation index; Range ecology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Range ecology -- South Africa -- Periodicals; Range management -- Africa -- Periodicals; Range management -- South Africa -- Periodicals; Pasture ecology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Pasture ecology -- South Africa -- Periodicals; Pastures -- Management -- Periodicals; Forage plants -- Africa -- Periodicals; 633.202096
• DOI: 10.2989/10220119.2018.1436088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-0119

Abstract

Abstract : The assessment of rangeland productivity in semi-extensively grazed arid rangelands is a prerequisite for livestock management in relation to sustainable use of pastoral resources. The objective of this study was to assess rangeland productivity based on normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) images. Data on phytomass were measured on 61 field samples in arid rangelands of Morocco, covering various rangeland categories during autumn (November) and spring (April), i.e. when phytomass is at low and high levels, respectively, for two consecutive years (2008 and 2009). Dekadal EROS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (eMODIS) NDVI data were linearly regressed to field measurements for these four periods. Results show that phytomass values were correlated with NDVI during spring, with R 2 and RMSE values of 0.82 and 0.3 t ha −1, respectively. This study indicates there is a high potential for operational use of remotely sensed data to estimate rangeland phytomass of semi-extensively grazed rangelands.