Methodology for mapping and monitoring integrated crop-livestock systems using remote sensing data

Abstract

Agricultural expansion over pastureland in Brazil, mainly by grains and sugarcane, led to livestock intensification in the remaining pasture within those regions. During the past decades, Brazil has dramatically increased agricultural (grains) production, mostly due to increases in yield. On the other hand, in recent years, sugarcane has increased its production mainly based on area expansion mainly over pasture areas. In the same period, Brazil has become a leading global beef producer. Although general agricultural statistics indicate that pasture intensification has been occurring in recent years, a more detailed analysis is needed, considering, for instance, geographical distribution, the types of systems involved (e.g. purely pasture and mixed pasture and crops) and management variables. This plan focuses on what can be learned about pasture management from remote sensing - a powerful tool that has seen relatively little application in this context. (AU)