Spatial monitoring of natural resource condition in Southern Africa

[摘要] South Africa's natural vegetation and soils, which are essential resources for agricultural practices, arebecoming degraded. Natural resource disturbances can also cause extensive harm to local communitiesand their economies. To allow successful natural resource monitoring, there is an urgent need forintegrated GIS spatial data and development of remotely sensed indicators of key ecosystemsprocesses. Satellite remote sensing provides the most cost-effective and reliable tool for generatingthese spatial data. The main objective of the study is, therefore, to develop and evaluate methodologiesfor assessing, mapping and monitoring the condition of natural resources in southern Africa with theaid of remote sensing and GIS. The resulting integrated spatial framework represents methodologiesfor, firstly, identifying and accessing vegetation and soil parameters on a gradient from pristine todegraded condition; secondly, identifying, assessing, processing and modelling GIS and remotesensingspatial data to derived degradation maps, which identify rangeland condition and woody coverclasses and, thirdly, comparing two satellite remote-sensing sensors (LANDSAT ETM and MODIS)and making statements of degradation. This approach could make an integrated spatial frameworkcomprehensive in its considerations of provincial degradation mapping and robust enough to be usedfor monitoring on a national scale. By acquiring spatial and non-spatial data in a quantitative logicallyrobust but accurate manner, integrated spatial frameworks provides the structure for combiningspecialized information as well as for analysis in an effective management programme. This couldguide rangeland managers in assessing, mapping and monitoring of natural resources in a scientificallyacceptable way. All of these factors emphasise the need for the development of a national rangelandmonitoring strategy and monitoring system.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University