Estimation of Rangeland Production in the Arid Oriental Region (Morocco) Combining Remote Sensing Vegetation and Rainfall Indices: Challenges and Lessons Learned

This study aimed at investigating the potential of vegetation indices and precipitation-related variables derived from remote sensing to assess rangeland production in arid environment Moroccan Oriental region identifying challenges linked that particular biome. Vegetation (VIs) Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) computed various aggregation periods were first integrated into a Random Forest model. In second step, we studied more detail linear relationship between biomass one spectral (ARVI) for formations present area. We concluded that, mostly due presence alfa steppes (Stipa tenacissima), especially large proportion non-photosynthetic vegetation, it is not possible accurately estimate with global model this region. recommend separating Stipa tenacissima other species models focusing on methods studying dry improve quality prediction steppes.