This paper presents the results of a two-year study commissioned by the Department of Interior to examine the costs and benefits of a remote data acquisition system for natural resource management. Because earlier experience with a number of experimental programs had been so favorable, it was felt that a full analysis should be undertaken. Subsequently, five areas were selected for detailed investigation: agriculture, land use, forestry, water resources, and rangeland. In each instance, the modeling was performed within the framework of a case study. Net benefits were derived from two sources: (1) cost savings at the data acquisition level; and (2) increased economic efficiencies at the operational level. Calculations were done parametrically to account for technological diffusion, uncertainties in implementation, and various assumptions concerning discount rates and cloud cover impacts. The results have shown that a two-satellite system will more than likely pay for itself over the program's planned ten year life.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.