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This 12 month study was undertaken to evaluate whether MODIS satellite data is
able to provide useable data for land management. The project looked at B1 and
B2 MODIS data.
Current monitoring techniques provide monitoring information between years, at
the end of the growing season. For improved commercial and sustainable
management decisions, information is required throughout the year, when
management decisions can be altered to suit current conditions.
A new generation satellite – Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer
(MODIS) offers a possible solution, with increased spectral and temporal
capabilities, to provide information to further enhance the current monitoring
program.
The project was undertaken in the VRD pastoral district of the NT upon the
Victoria River Downs property. Two pastorally significant land types were
assessed using the MODIS data; the basaltic black soil plains and the limestone
calcareous red soils.
A total of 70 500m x 500m ground sites representing varying condition classes
were used for the project, 30 located upon red soils and 40 upon black soils.
Ground sites were classified upon the presence/absence of perennial grass
species over the site. This is consistent with the Landscape Function Analysis
(LFA) approach of Tongway and Hindley 1995.
The project determined that MODIS data is able to detect differences in
rangeland condition. Changes or variation in cover levels, thus condition, are
most apparent towards the end of the dry season when vegetation cover is
senescent.
B1 and B2 data were found to be highly effective and efficient in detecting
differences between condition classes upon the black soil plains of the Victoria
River Downs property. Differences were detected within the season, from month
to month of the dry season.
Application to red soil landscapes was found to be less effective and highlighted
the complexities of using satellite data for range management upon light coloured
soils. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Tropical Savannas CRC – MODIS Report
4
The use of visible red and near infrared data as surrogates for ground vegetation
cover in basaltic landscapes has proved effective and able to be integrated within
the current monitoring program.

source: executive summary