MODIS estimates of pasture productivity in the Cerrado based on ground and Landsat-8 data extrapolations

Abstract

With ∼175 Mha (38% of which is in the Cerrado biome), pastures are the main land use forms in Brazil. Aiming at improving pasture utilization, in this study we combined field and satellite data to assess the biophysical characteristics and productivity patterns of the Cerrado pasturelands. From October 2013 to September 2014, field data of total and green biomass and percent green cover (%GC) were collected in two study areas located in the municipality of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State. These data were extrapolated to the entire Cerrado biome through regression equations involving normalized vegetation index values derived from Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Terra MODIS sensors for the year 2014. Total green biomass in the growing season was used to estimate potential livestock intensification in terms of animal unit (AU) per hectare. Average green biomass values ranged from 1482 kg ha − 1 in August (dry season peak) to 2878 kg ha − 1 in March (end of the rainy season), whereas %GC ranged from 49% in August to 66% in January and April 2014. Considering the estimated availability of green forage, cattle stocking rate in the Cerrado could increase, on average, from 1.11 to 2.56 AU ha − 1.