The unsustainable use of ground-water in desert regions has
been documented, and a required shortening of the cycle between
scientific discovery, management proposals to policy makers andthe implementation of proper regulations has been highlighted
(MacKay, 2006). Land-use analysis to understand ecosystem functions
has been recognized as a necessary tool to increase stakeholder
participation and involvement in sustainable management
practices (König et al., 2012). We propose that efficient and accurate
monitoring protocols to evaluate land use and management practices
in the desert can lead to the development of better policies for
sustainable agriculture. We strongly believe that because of the
high rate of conversion of land cover in agricultural areas, it is
crucial to understand and monitor changes across time to effectively
assess management practices (from government and stakeholders)
and mitigate potentially adverse ecological impacts.