The Bureau of Land Management has a new remote sensing tool for effective strategies for the management and conservation of vegetation on public lands, which has in the past proven difficult yet remains crucial.
Remote sensing technology offers a cost-effective method of analyzing vegetation trends in Western rangelands, which the BLM covers 233 million acres for recreation, livestock grazing, and wildlife habitat.
In addition, the tool has found an expansion in tree covers and the production of annual grasses and forbs. Other findings include a decrease in herbaceous perennial cover.
The research on these vegetation changes, including more invasive annual grasses and more woodland expansion, has led to the opportunity to partner with other public, tribal, and private entities to target rangeland restoration actions strategically.
