Integration of Drone Imaging and GIS Tools for Livestock Population Monitoring in Pastoral Systems

Background: The sustainable administration of livestock is a challenge in pastoral systems, particularly in semi-arid regions, due to variable climatic conditions and inadequate monitoring methods. Methods: This research investigates the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies and drone imagery to monitor cattle populations in the Kachchh region of Gujarat, India. GIS techniques were employed to analyze cattle distribution and its correlation with environmental factors such as plant health and water availability. Result: The drone-based approach achieved a detection accuracy with an F1-score of 92.5%. Spatial analysis revealed a strong correlation between cattle density, vegetation health and proximity to water sources, particularly during the dry season. The study highlights the potential of drone imaging and GIS integration as scalable and effective tools for sustainable pastoral management.