Roadmap for a participatory observatory for rangeland monitoring based on image analysis

Taugourdeau Simon, Machdoud Maha, Diatta Ousmane, Sebari Imane, Ait El Kadi Kenza, Hammouda Rachid Fethi, El Aayadi Soufiane, Assouma Mohamed Habibou, Dallahi Youssef, Diouf Abdoul Aziz, Blanfort Vincent, Bastianelli Denis, Borne Frédéric, Chebli Youssef. 2025. Roadmap for a participatory observatory for rangeland monitoring based on image analysis. Pastoralism - Research, Policy and Practice, 6 p.

Résumé : This position article advocates for the creation of a participatory pastoral observatory, leveraging accessible technologies, including smartphones, to monitor rangeland ecosystems. Rather than reiterating the already accepted need for monitoring, we focus on how technological progress, ranging from ground-based field plots to satellite imagery, UAVs, and smartphones using Structure from Motion (SfM) methods, has transformed rangeland observation. We argue that an imagery-based community monitoring system can provide accurate, relevant, and timely data while empowering local stakeholders and informing policy decisions. We detail the operational steps of smartphone- based observatory, highlight its capacity to reduce labor-intensive biomass sampling, and discuss its feasibility when applied by pastoralists. We also draw lessons from related participatory approaches in Mongolia, Ireland, and East Africa. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge with scientific approaches, this initiative can strengthen the resilience of pastoral systems, support sustainable management practices, and contribute to evidence-based policymaking. The proposed observation framework builds on existing research and technological innovations to promote a decentralized and inclusive monitoring system. We imagine such a type of observatory could be useful in Sahel Region or in Northern Africa, could describe practical challenges (smartphone penetration, network coverage, training for low-literacy users), and outline next steps for implementation.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : pastoralisme, approche participative, analyse d'image, imagerie par satellite, suivi des terres de parcours, parcours, adaptation aux changements climatiques, Observation satellitaire

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Sénégal, Sahel

Mots-clés libres : Pastoral ecosystems, Image analysis, Monitoring, Rangeland ecosystems, Ground-based field plots, Satellite image, UAVs, Smartphones

Auteurs et affiliations

• Taugourdeau Simon, CIRAD-ES-UMR SELMET (FRA) ORCID: 0000-0001-6561-3228 - auteur correspondant
• Machdoud Maha, IAV Hassan II (MAR)
• Diatta Ousmane, ISRA (SEN)
• Sebari Imane, IAV Hassan II (MAR)
• Ait El Kadi Kenza, IAV Hassan II (MAR)
• Hammouda Rachid Fethi, USTHB (DZA)
• El Aayadi Soufiane, IAV Hassan II (MAR)
• Assouma Mohamed Habibou, CIRAD-ES-UMR SELMET (SEN) ORCID: 0000-0002-8163-0340
• Dallahi Youssef, UM5 (MAR)
• Diouf Abdoul Aziz, Université de Montpellier (FRA)
• Blanfort Vincent, CIRAD-ES-UMR SELMET (FRA)
• Bastianelli Denis, CIRAD-ES-UMR SELMET (FRA) ORCID: 0000-0002-6394-5920
• Borne Frédéric, CIRAD-BIOS-UMR AMAP (FRA) ORCID: 0000-0003-3251-8253
• Chebli Youssef, INRA (MAR)

Source : Cirad-Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/614858/)

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