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Many open lands in arid regions are exposed to land degradation, characterized by soil erosion, and intense incision, resulting in a ravine. Previous studies indicate that an appropriate ratio of cereals and broad leaf species may contribute to land stabilization. Nevertheless, in many cases, arid and semiarid open lands are covered with inadequate amounts, and human intervention is needed. The common occupation of the indigenous population in these areas is small ruminants grazing (SRG). Therefore, the following general objectives were defined for a comprehensive study: determining the influence of SRG on cereals and broad leaf biomass ratio, and determining the efficiency of high-resolution satellite imagery (HRSI) to monitor dynamic vegetation changes of small-sized plots. The study site is located in Migda Plain, Northern Negev, Israel. 54 plots each sized 10 × 10 m with different grazing intensities: 30 (light), 60 (moderate), and 90 min (heavy) per plot per year (the herd size was 130–140 heads, composed of 90% sheep, and the remaining goats), in addition to conserve, and anti-cereals herbicide sprayed ones, all analyzed during 2019 and 2023. The herbaceous biomass amount of the cereals and the broad leaves were determined manually at the end of the growing season and by consistent Planet® imaging data between 1/1 and 31/5, once 2–5 days (Spatial resolution: 3 m pixel-1, temporal: 1–3 times day-1, and spectral: Red, Green, Blue and InfraRed). Three vegetation indices were studied: NDVI, SAVI, and GNDVI. The finding indicated that the most sensitive index to biomass changes is the NDVI. Interestingly, in addition to the influence of rainfall timing and amount on the NDVI, the moderate and light grazed plots were characterized by 2–10% higher NDVI compared to the conserved ones in the following year of the grazing. In contrast, the measured biomass was higher in the conserved ones, possibly due to the accumulation of fallow from the previous years in the conserved plots that reduced the vegetation growth. The finding indicates the role of SRG as an ecosystem engineer in arid grasslands and their potential utilization for their stabilization. In addition, it demonstrates the abilities of HRSI to determine dynamic and long-term agroecological processes.

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Managing a Sustainable Grazing Scheme in Ravine Using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery, Gerar Basin, Northern Negev, A Case Study

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Amir Mor-Mussery,
  • Itamar Lensky,
  • Lior Blank

摘要

Many open lands in arid regions are exposed to land degradation, characterized by soil erosion, and intense incision, resulting in a ravine. Previous studies indicate that an appropriate ratio of cereals and broad leaf species may contribute to land stabilization. Nevertheless, in many cases, arid and semiarid open lands are covered with inadequate amounts, and human intervention is needed. The common occupation of the indigenous population in these areas is small ruminants grazing (SRG). Therefore, the following general objectives were defined for a comprehensive study: determining the influence of SRG on cereals and broad leaf biomass ratio, and determining the efficiency of high-resolution satellite imagery (HRSI) to monitor dynamic vegetation changes of small-sized plots. The study site is located in Migda Plain, Northern Negev, Israel. 54 plots each sized 10 × 10 m with different grazing intensities: 30 (light), 60 (moderate), and 90 min (heavy) per plot per year (the herd size was 130–140 heads, composed of 90% sheep, and the remaining goats), in addition to conserve, and anti-cereals herbicide sprayed ones, all analyzed during 2019 and 2023. The herbaceous biomass amount of the cereals and the broad leaves were determined manually at the end of the growing season and by consistent Planet® imaging data between 1/1 and 31/5, once 2–5 days (Spatial resolution: 3 m pixel-1, temporal: 1–3 times day-1, and spectral: Red, Green, Blue and InfraRed). Three vegetation indices were studied: NDVI, SAVI, and GNDVI. The finding indicated that the most sensitive index to biomass changes is the NDVI. Interestingly, in addition to the influence of rainfall timing and amount on the NDVI, the moderate and light grazed plots were characterized by 2–10% higher NDVI compared to the conserved ones in the following year of the grazing. In contrast, the measured biomass was higher in the conserved ones, possibly due to the accumulation of fallow from the previous years in the conserved plots that reduced the vegetation growth. The finding indicates the role of SRG as an ecosystem engineer in arid grasslands and their potential utilization for their stabilization. In addition, it demonstrates the abilities of HRSI to determine dynamic and long-term agroecological processes.