Using Satellite Remote Sensing to Estimate Rangeland Carrying Capacity for Sustainable Management of the Marismeño Horse in Doñana National Park, Spain

A six-year satellite-based study reveals critical seasonal patterns in vegetation productivity and grazing suitability within Doñana National Park, essential for the sustainable management of the endangered Marismeño horse. The research, utilizing Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 data, identified strong seasonal cycles with peak biomass and nutritive value in spring, followed by sharp declines in summer. Ecotonal zones like La Vera y Sotos served as vital refuges during drought-induced resource shortages, highlighting their importance for the horse's survival. The study demonstrates the reliability of a multi-sensor approach for fine-scale mapping of forage dynamics, offering a scalable tool to support biodiversity conservation and the resilience of Mediterranean rangeland ecosystems under increasing climate variability.

Ramírez-Juidias, E., Díaz de la Serna-Moreno, Á., & Delgado-Pertíñez, M. (2025). Using Satellite Remote Sensing to Estimate Rangeland Carrying Capacity for Sustainable Management of the Marismeño Horse in Doñana National Park, Spain. Animals, 15(24), 3507. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15243507