Leveraging Google Earth Engine for a More Effective Grassland Management: A Decision Support Application Perspective.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Remote Sensing
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Grasslands are vital for human well-being and livestock, but management is challenged by poor infrastructure and communication.
• Effective grassland utilization and conservation require advanced monitoring and decision support systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a Web-GIS application for monitoring and conserving grasslands in Umbria, supporting sustainable livestock management.
• To provide timely data on grassland status and growth curves for improved decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Development of the "Praterie" Web-GIS app using Google Earth Engine.
• Utilizing historical Sentinel-2 satellite data and harmonic modeling of the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI).
• Estimating vegetation growth curves and maturity periods for the upcoming vegetation cycle.

Main Results:

• The app provides quasi-real-time estimates of vegetation greenness, maximum greenness, and days to maturity.
• It visualizes the accuracy of harmonic models and recent grassland greenness status.
• The system enables monitoring of grassland growth and utilization for informed management decisions.

Conclusions:

• The "Praterie" app contributes to optimizing livestock management and biodiversity conservation.
• Timely and accurate grassland data are crucial for sustainable land use.
• Further development can enhance the app's informative value for grassland ecosystems.