Satellite-based information for grassland management

Permanent grassland accounts for 28% of Germany's agricultural area and thus has a landscape-shaping character. Its main supply service is the production of milk and meat, through the use of grassland as a high-quality basic feed. In addition, grassland contributes to the regulation of the natural environment as a habitat of numerous plant and animal species, due to carbon sequestration in the soil, flood and erosion protection and the filtration function for rainwater. The preservation of traditional forms of use of the meadows and pastures and the resulting landscapes also ensure the scenic cultural heritage. The long- term preservation of grassland-based ecosystem services can only be ensured by means of continuous, site-specific, market-oriented and environmentally sound management and care, which at the same time must be innovative and future-oriented. Grassland management in accordance with these objectives is subject to a complex decision-making process which involves a large number of information. In today's high-technology work environment, farmers increasingly rely on digital information systems. The aim of the project outlined here is the development of innovative products from the combination of satellite data and simulation models. These products are intended to provide farmers with up-to-date and tailor-made information to optimise mowing dates, fertiliser applications and other measures, incorporating aspects of selected ecosystem services (in particular production and regulation services) into the decision-making criteria. The main focus of the research approach is the development of simple web-based decision-making aids as a free information offer. This offer is supplemented by a commercial site-specific consulting through specialised enterprises.