A Global View of Remote Sensing of Rangelands: Evolution, applications, future pathways

Across the globe, millions of people depend on rangelands for their livelihood, raising concerns about rangeland health, maintenance, and management. Since the 1960s, satellite-based remote sensing has mapped the health, productivity, and spatial dynamics of rangelands. With recent advancements in data quality, spatial tools, and computing capacity, more comprehensive assessments and tools are available to support effective rangeland management.

Photo Credit

USDA Forest Service photo by Alexis Neukrich

A group of cows grazing out in the Pawnee National Grassland in Colorado.

In 2024, the Remote Sensing Handbook updated its third volume, which details the evolution and advancements in remote sensing research. This chapter describes past and ongoing developments in sensing capabilities and new approaches used by practitioners to answer some of the most pressing questions related to rangeland management. The authors discuss metrics used for rangeland management, which include measures of landscape degradation, fire activity and impact, land cover trends, vegetation productivity, food security, and global change.

It also highlights the strengths and weakness of specific remote sensing datasets. Given that rangelands are critical to humankind and represent around 52 percent of the Earth’s landcover (and contribute around 18 trillion dollars to the global economy annually), local governments and international aid organizations will continue to rely on advancements in remote sensing tools, applications, and pathways to guide solutions addressing the complex threats facing rangelands.