Roadmap for a participatory observatory for rangeland monitoring based on image analysis

This position article advocates for the creation of a participatory pastoral observatory, leveraging accessible technologies, including smartphones, to monitor rangeland ecosystems. Rather than reiterating the already accepted need for monitoring, we focus on how technological progress, ranging from ground-based field plots to satellite imagery, UAVs, and smartphones using Structure from Motion (SfM) methods, has transformed rangeland observation. We argue that an imagery-based community monitoring system can provide accurate, relevant, and timely data while empowering local stakeholders and informing policy decisions. We detail the operational steps of smartphone-based observatory, highlight its capacity to reduce labor-intensive biomass sampling, and discuss its feasibility when applied by pastoralists. We also draw lessons from related participatory approaches in Mongolia, Ireland, and East Africa. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge with scientific approaches, this initiative can strengthen the resilience of pastoral systems, support sustainable management practices, and contribute to evidence-based policymaking. The proposed observation framework builds on existing research and technological innovations to promote a decentralized and inclusive monitoring system. We imagine such a type of observatory could be useful in Sahel Region or in Northern Africa, could describe practical challenges (smartphone penetration, network coverage, training for low-literacy users), and outline next steps for implementation.