Grassland Monitoring Based on Geobotanical, Ground, Spectrometric, and Satellite Data

Abstract

This study assesses the possibility of grassland monitoring based on various spectral vegetation indices (NDVI, ClGreen, NDRE, and NDMI) calculated according to Sentinel-2 satellite data during the 2018 growing season. Geobotanical studies and the collection of ground-based spectrophotometry data were carried out simultaneously, at the same time of day, and were used as an additional stage of monitoring haymaking. It was possible to identify grasslands and determine the date of mowing based on ground and satellite spectrometric data. A drop in the indices (NDVI, clGreen, NDRE, and NDMI) was observed on the date of mowing (July 25, 2018). The possibility of grassland interpretation based on the NDVI index was proven reliable. It was shown that the dates of mowing, determined according to satellite data, were in good agreement with the ground dates of mowing (July 25 and August 27). The spatial distribution maps of the NDVI index of grasslands according to Sentinel-2 satellite data for certain dates (June 18, July 10, and August 27) were drawn. The resulting maps make it possible to identify grasslands and mowing dates in large areas.