Session

Grassland condition is not only important economically, as it reflects the number of grazers rangeland can support, but also crucial ecologically, as it indicates the integrity of wildlife habitats. Even though studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of remote sensing in grassland monitoring, it is still a challenge to use remotely sensed data in mixed grasslands because the large proportion of dead material complicates analysis for indices not developed for heterogeneous landscapes, especially in conservation areas. In this study, we investigated the relationship between remote sensing data and grassland biophysical measurement. Biophysical and spectral data were collected at Mongolia and surrounding pastures. We used previous year’s (2021) field-collected data including spectral measurement of grassland mixed vegetation, above-ground green biomass, species composition and soil physio-chemical properties. Spatial distribution of data location longitudinally from east (Khovd province) to west (Dornod province), and latitudinally along from north (Selenge province) to south (Omnogobi province), and herders distribution (grazing intensity) with different represents of grassland. By means of the quadrat surveys along the transects, we collected 200 locations with 1-5 plots per location, vegetation species, above-ground green biomass, spectral measurement of vegetation and soil using held handed spectroradiometer (350-2500nm), soil samples (10 cm depth). Area of sampling plots wes 50x50 cm for 100x100cm. We obtained spectral signatures of mixed vegetation and soil in different natural zones of Mongolian grassland. Reflectance values processed from field spectroradiometer data will be frequently used in grassland studies to provide key information on vegetation monitoring and ecological properties.