Characterization of pastoral lands in the PACA Region by GIS and remote sensing: Questions of methods and first results

The aim of this work is to characterize pastoral lands at the regional scale (Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, south of France), in terms of spatial distribution and diversity of land cover. To identify spatial distribution, we based our study on two available databases: the graphic parcel register (RPG) gathering farmer’s declarations within common agricultural policy and a the pastoral enquiry (EP) operated by local actors of Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur and Rhône Alpes regions. To analyze diversity of land cover, we used remote sensing analysis discriminating five classes of cover (forested areas, high density heathland, low density heathland, meadows, bare lands) at a smaller scale, named “géo-terroir” (Haut Verdon-Annot-Saint André). Our results illustrate usefulness of using dedicated remote sensing to describe land cover of grazed natural areas at large scale. Whatever the spatial data source at “géo-terroir” scale, a stronger use of pastoral areas (60 %) is questioned, according to admissibility rules of these areas within the CAP (30 %), or regarding to animal accessibility to forage resources considering vegetal dynamics and encroachment of these areas already composed of scrublands (30 % of grazed areas are already considered as high density heathland). © 2023 Soc. Francaise de Photogrammetrie et de Teledetection. All rights reserved.