Remote sensing of rangeland biodiversity [Chapter 12]

Abstract

Rangelands are a type of land cover dominated by grasses, grass-like plants, broadleaf herbaceous plants (forbs), shrubs, and isolated trees, usually in which large herbivores evolved as part of the ecosystem. In many rangelands, the large herbivores were replaced by livestock, and thus livestock grazing represents a major land use for production of food and fiber. Sustainability is maintained by species diversity (Kouba et al., 2024; Retallack et al., 2023; Hooper et al., 2005; Tilman et al., 2006, 2012; Zaveleta et al., 2010; Reich et al., 2012) and reduction of biodiversity is expected to be one of the major consequences of global climatic change (Soussanna and Lüscher, 2007; Janetos et al., 2008; McKeon et al., 2009; Pereira et al., 2010, 2012; Belgacem and Louhaichi, 2013; Joyce et al., 2013; Polley et al., 2013). Along with climatic change, invasions of non-native species are threatening rangeland sustainability by decreasing native species diversity (Retallack et al., 2023; Thornley et al., 2023; Matongera et al., 2021; Sawalhah et al., 2018; Jafari et al., 2017; McCord et al., 2017; Bradley et al., 2009; Lavergne et al., 2010; Ziska et al., 2011).

Citation

Hunt, E. Raymond, Jr.; Wang, Cuizhen; Booth, D. Terrance; Cox, Samuel E.; Kumar, Lalit; Reeves, Matthew. 2024. Remote sensing of rangeland biodiversity [Chapter 12]. In: Thenkabail, Prasad S., ed. Remote Sensing Handbook, Volume III. Agriculture, Food Security, Rangelands, Vegetation, Phenology, and Soils (2nd ed.). CRC Press. p. 419-461.