Use of remote sensing technologies for sustainable traditional ranching in arid zones

Abstract

Traditional extensive livestock ranching in arid and semi-arid regions faces significant ecological, climatic, social, and economic challenges that require efficient solutions to improve productivity and resource management. Remote sensing technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and GPS devices, generate information with multiple applications in extensive grazing management. The fine spatial resolution (cm) and multispectral (visible and near-infrared light) properties of aerial images captured with UAVs enable the analysis of vegetation characteristics, such as greenness, cover, and biomass. Furthermore, the frequency (s) and accuracy (m) with which GPS devices record livestock’s real-time location facilitate the determination of grazing behavior, e.g., grazing routes, areas of highest abundance, daily distance traveled, and grazing gradients. The collected information enables adaptation of management strategies, such as selecting grazing and rest areas and times, modifying grazing routes, reducing energy expenditure per activity, supplementing feed, and optimizing the distribution of facilities (e.g., troughs, feeders, and milking parlors). This is aimed at strengthening the sustainability of traditional extensive livestock ranching in Mexico’s arid and semi-arid regions.