A scalable big data approach for remotely tracking rangeland conditions
Rangelands are rapidly degrading worldwide. A new satellite‑based approach tracks condition change and evaluates management. In Mongolia, rising grazing pressure drove major declines, and results show this method offers a fast, cost‑effective tool for sustainable rangeland management.
Subject Tags
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Agriculture
- Conservation Technology
Abstract
Rangelands, covering half of the global land area, are critically degraded by unsustainable use and climate change. Despite their extensive presence, global assessments of rangeland condition and sustainability are limited. Here we introduce a novel analytical approach that combines satellite big data and statistical modeling to quantify the likelihood of changes in rangeland conditions. These probabilities are then used to assess the effectiveness of management interventions targeting rangeland sustainability. This approach holds global potential, as demonstrated in Mongolia, where the shift to a capitalist economy has led to increased livestock numbers and grazing intensity. From 1986 to 2020, heavy grazing caused a marked decline in Mongolia’s rangeland condition. Our evaluation of diverse management strategies, corroborated by local ground observations, further substantiates our approach. Leveraging globally available yet locally detailed satellite data, our proposed condition tracking approach provides a rapid, cost-effective tool for sustainable rangeland management.
Citation
Xie, Z., Game, E.T., Phinn, S.R., Adams, M.P., Bayarjargal, Y., Pannell, D.J., Purevbaatar, G., Baldangombo, B., Hobbs, R.J., Yao, J. and McDonald-Madden, E., 2024. A scalable big data approach for remotely tracking rangeland conditions. Communications Earth & Environment, 5(1), p.349. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01516-2
TNC Authors
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Edward Game
Senior Lead Scientist and Director of Conservation, Asia-Pacific
The Nature Conservancy
Email: egame@tnc.org -
Bayarjargal Yunden
Conservation Director, Mongolia
The Nature Conservancy
Email: y.bayarjargal@tnc.org -
Purevbaatar Ganbold
GIS and Data Officer, Mongolia
The Nature Conservancy
Email: p.ganbold@tnc.org -
Batkhuyag Baldangombo
The Nature Conservancy