Measuring vegetation characteristics in rangelands more accurately through the VegMeasure® tool

Abstract

How-it-works brief on VegMeasure® which is a computerised vegetation-management program. It uses image-processing software to process digital images which are collected in a standardized manner, to classify vegetation and measure changes over time. The tool was created by the Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences at Oregon State University (OSU, USA) in collaboration with the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The tool provides a scientifically sound method to monitor vegetation on natural and agronomic landscapes, which can be applied in a range of ecosystems and operated with only basic training. Monitoring vegetation cover is important because it helps land managers, land users and decision makers to understand the health of the ecosystems in which they operate – as well as the effects of human and natural impacts on those ecosystems over time. Historically, it has been difficult, expensive and time-consuming to acquire reliable data about vegetation cover and changes at a landscape level. With the readily accessible information that VegMeasure® provides, managerial systems can be more easily, accurately, and safely evaluated for ecosystem health and long-term sustainability.