Monitoring land condition using ArcGIS web based tools.

Jason Barnetson
NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment , Arts and Sports

PO Box 1120, Alice Springs NT 0871

Jason.barnetson@nt.gov.au

Abstract

Monitoring in rangeland environments is difficult and expensive due to their remote

nature. However monitoring is essential for detecting and reporting change in land
condition to aid in sustainable management.

This paper is part of a larger land condition monitoring project operating in the
Northern Territory. MODIS satellite images from July 2000 to the present are used to
gather information for use in time-series analysis. Time-series data and cover images
at various spatial scales are extracted for analysis and comparison. Additional
information such as rainfall, drought index and fire patterns are also incorporated to
provide temporal components to the analyses. The method developed forms part of a
program that reports annually on significant changes in vegetation cover.

Specialised geoprocessing tools have been developed in ArcGIS to download and

process satellite data and deliver images and statistical products in a user friendly and
interactive web based format. Delivery of this information is aimed to provide land
managers with new tools to assess and manage land.
Key words:
Remote sensing, rangeland, MODIS, land condition, ArcGIS