Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4087
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4087
29 Jan 2025
 | 29 Jan 2025

Grassland yield estimations – potentials and limitations of remote sensing, process-based modelling and field measurements

Sophie Reinermann, Carolin Boos, Andrea Kaim, Anne Schucknecht, Sarah Asam, Ursula Gessner, Sylvia H. Annuth, Thomas M. Schmitt, Thomas Koellner, and Ralf Kiese

Abstract. Grasslands make up the majority of agricultural land and provide fodder for livestock. Information on grassland yield is very limited as the fodder is directly used at the farms. Data on grassland yields would be needed, however, to inform politics and stakeholders on grassland ecosystem services and inter-annual variations. Grassland yield patterns are often varying on small scales in Germany and estimations are further complicated by missing information on grassland management. Here, we present three different approaches to estimate annual grassland yield for a study region in southern Germany. We apply (i) a model derived from field samples, satellite data and mowing information (RS), (ii) the biogeochemical process-based model LandscapeDNDC (LDNDC) and (iii) a rule-set approach based on field measurements and spatial information on grassland productivity (RVA) to derive grassland yields per parcel for the Ammer catchment area in 2019. All three approaches reach plausible results of annual yields of around 4–9 t/ha and show overlapping as well as diverging spatial patterns. For example, direct comparisons show that higher yields were derived with LDNDC compared to RS and RVA, in particular related to the first cut and for grasslands mown only one or two times per year. The mowing frequency was found to be the most important influencing factor for grassland yields of all three approaches. There were no significant differences found in the effect of abiotic influencing factors, such as climate or elevation, on grassland yields derived from the different approaches. The potentials and limitations of the three approaches are analysed and discussed in depth, such as the level of detail of required input data, or the capability of regional and inter-annual yield estimations. For the first time, three different approaches to estimate grassland yields were compared in depth resulting in new insights in their potentials and limitations. Grassland productivity maps provide the basis for long-term analyses of climate and management impacts and comprehensive studies of the functions of grassland ecosystems.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

25 Sep 2025
Grassland yield estimations – potentials and limitations of remote sensing in comparison to process-based modeling and field measurements
Sophie Reinermann, Carolin Boos, Andrea Kaim, Anne Schucknecht, Sarah Asam, Ursula Gessner, Sylvia H. Annuth, Thomas M. Schmitt, Thomas Koellner, and Ralf Kiese
Biogeosciences, 22, 4969–4992, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4969-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4969-2025, 2025
Short summary
Sophie Reinermann, Carolin Boos, Andrea Kaim, Anne Schucknecht, Sarah Asam, Ursula Gessner, Sylvia H. Annuth, Thomas M. Schmitt, Thomas Koellner, and Ralf Kiese

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-4087', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sophie Reinermann, 03 Apr 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-4087', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Mar 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Sophie Reinermann, 03 Apr 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-4087', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sophie Reinermann, 03 Apr 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-4087', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Mar 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Sophie Reinermann, 03 Apr 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (11 Apr 2025) by Akihiko Ito
AR by Sophie Reinermann on behalf of the Authors (15 May 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (02 Jun 2025) by Akihiko Ito
AR by Sophie Reinermann on behalf of the Authors (03 Jun 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

25 Sep 2025
Grassland yield estimations – potentials and limitations of remote sensing in comparison to process-based modeling and field measurements
Sophie Reinermann, Carolin Boos, Andrea Kaim, Anne Schucknecht, Sarah Asam, Ursula Gessner, Sylvia H. Annuth, Thomas M. Schmitt, Thomas Koellner, and Ralf Kiese
Biogeosciences, 22, 4969–4992, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4969-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4969-2025, 2025
Short summary
Sophie Reinermann, Carolin Boos, Andrea Kaim, Anne Schucknecht, Sarah Asam, Ursula Gessner, Sylvia H. Annuth, Thomas M. Schmitt, Thomas Koellner, and Ralf Kiese
Sophie Reinermann, Carolin Boos, Andrea Kaim, Anne Schucknecht, Sarah Asam, Ursula Gessner, Sylvia H. Annuth, Thomas M. Schmitt, Thomas Koellner, and Ralf Kiese

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Short summary
Grasslands shape the landscape in many parts of the world and serve as the main source of fodder for livestock. There is a lack of comprehensive data on grassland yield, though highly valuable for authorities and research. By applying three approaches to estimate grassland yields, namely a satellite data model, a biogeochemical model and a field measurements approach, we provide annual grassland yield maps for the Ammer region in 2019 and highlight potentials and limitations of the approaches.
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