ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the development of layers of spatial data which provide quantitative or qualitative measures of grassland properties and their integration into a decision-making framework. Grassland provides special difficulties in the application of spatial data. In extensive systems, variation in biophysical characteristics of grassland vegetation is continuous and heterogeneous. Management and grazing modify the growth of grassland in an irregular time series of events which are spatially asynchronous. Nevertheless, spatial data may be applied to management issues for grassland at scales from continental to regional to property, paddocks and finally to management units within paddocks. The concept of applying spatial data to management of grazing lands was first clearly elucidated in Australia by Graetz et al. (1984) when describing the use of Landsat satellite data to classify rangeland types, derive vegetation indices and detect, quantify and interpret change. In this chapter, I will use the work carried out by myself and my colleagues in Australia to illustrate some of the developments in spatial data as an information source for grassland management. This work was carried out in the context of the grassland and grazing systems of the southern temperate and Mediterranean parts of Australia.
