Design and implementation on pasture livestock carrying capacity evaluation system based on GIS

Overgrazing in Northern China is a serious problem, leading to grassland resource desertification. With respect to digital rangeland management, China is still in the theoretical stage, and has not set up a sound management system to promote the use of pasture. To improve digital pasture management and rational use of grassland resources, this study estimated the carrying capacity and pasture load balance of grazing plots using the stocking model. Based on the results, a system was designed and implemented to assess the amount of pasture-based livestock. Based on the GIS development technology and the demonstration area of Tara state farm in Hulun Buir (study area), the study on the management of grassland, forecast of stocking capacity, and evaluation of livestock balance were carried out. The users of the system can estimate the land carrying capacity by the input of data related to the selection of land animals intake and grazing days. Furthermore, they can evaluate stocking balance of plots they choose. The results showed that the system can meet the demands of digital pasture management, assist Tara Rochelle state-owned farms to make decisions, and provide some significant guidance for the future research on the management of pasture management system.