The study site “Oranienbaum heath” near Dessau, Saxony-Anhalt, represents an open heath landscape located on a former military training ground. After the military use was abandoned, natural succession led to a spread of grasses and pioneer tree species. To preserve the open character of the area a pasture system was set up that mimics ancient forms of land use.

Combining airborne remote sensing, structural data derived in UAV campaigns and recordings from the field helps to monitor successional processes like the collapse of old-grown Calluna vulgaris, succession of sandy grassland and grass encroachment by Calamagrostis epigejos.