Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 6.21
Georeferenced and mapped crops (
top left
) that were classified via polarized radar from
satellite within a wide area (From Pottier and Ferro-Famil
2004
, altered)
Up to now, the most frequent agricultural application of remote sensing via radar
waves is
crop classification
(Fig.
6.21
). It provides a fast record about the areas of
crops that are growing within wide regions. This information is used by governmen-
tal departments, farm agencies and agribusiness institutions for planning purposes.
Monitoring and mapping the
condition of crops
-
e.g.
by recording the site-
specific biomass or leaf-area-index several times during the season - could be a
domain of application within single farms as well. It might be questioned whether it
suffices to record the biomass or the leaf-area-index or whether in addition the chlo-
rophyll within the leaves should be detected, as it is possible when using visible and
infrared radiation. The answer to this question might - on the one hand - depend on
crop type. Because precise yield estimates during the growing period for grain crops
might require more information than those for forage crops. On the other hand, the
operational possibilities must be considered. Because in maritime areas, long time
spans can occur during which clouds prevent any remote sensing from satellites for
visible and infrared radiation.
