SPATIAL-DISTRIBUTION OF CATTLE IN ARID RANGELANDS AS DETECTED BY PATTERNS OF CHANGE IN VEGETATION COVER

1. Patterns of change in vegetation cover, as measured by multitempora l remote sensing using the LANDSAT Multispectral Scanner, were used to model domestic cattle distributions in the arid range-lands of centra l Australia. 2. Model assumptions that paddock shape and waterpoint la yout have no effect on rate of cover change (and thus cattle distribut ion), other than through changes in the area of a paddock and the indi vidual landscape types within it, at each distance from water seem jus tified. 3. Model assumptions that rate of cover change in a particular landscape type at a given distance from water is unaffected by the mi x of other landscape types around it also seem justified. 4. Land degr adation appears to have only a limited effect on the distribution of c attle compared with differences in grazing preference for individual l andscape types and the number of cattle present in these rangelands. 5 . Generalized cattle distribution models can be derived for broad land scape types on the basis of distance from water and grazing preference . These models can be applied irrespective of the number of cattle pre sent. 6. The models have potential for incorporation into decision sup port systems for paddock design and waterpoint layout. Such systems co uld ensure the effective and sustainable utilization of arid rangeland vegetation by cattle.