509999 - REMOTE SENSING FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS

courses

ID:

509999

Duration (hours):

24

CFU:

SSD:

TELECOMUNICAZIONI

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (01/10/2025 - 30/01/2026)

Course Objectives

This course introduces the fundamentals of remote sensing for Earth observation, with a focus on applications of remote sensing in agriculture. It will explore the capabilities of spaceborne sensors to gather data about the Earth's surface. The student will develop the expertise to evaluate the suitability of different remotely sensed data types for tackling specific agricultural issues. Furthermore, the student will learn a range of processing and analysis techniques specifically tailored for remotely sensed data, with a particular emphasis on the vast potential of optical data. Through this comprehensive exploration, the student will gain the confidence to effectively manage and utilize diverse data sets, transforming them into valuable tools for extracting the precise information sought, to optimize agricultural practices.

Course Prerequisites

The student is expected to possess the knowledge consequent to having attended and successfully given the exams of first-level courses on: physics, chemistry, mathematical analysis.

Teaching Methods

The course is based on classroom lectures, possibly integrated with seminars. Whenever possible, hands-on sessions will be organized on processing of spaceborne datasets.

Assessment Methods

The exam consists of an oral discussion on at least three different topics in the course, aimed at assessing the candidate's level of knowledge and understanding of the subject. The mark is expressed with a number between 18 (barely sufficient) and 30 with honours (excellent).

Texts

Delince, J., et al. "Handbook on remote sensing for agricultural statistics.". FAO, 2017 Available open at:
https://www.fao.org/3/ca6394en/ca6394en.pdf
M. Weiss, F. Jacob, G. Duveiller: “Remote sensing for agricultural applications: A meta-review”. Remote Sensing of Environment, Volume 236, 2020, 111402, ISSN 0034-4257.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2019.111402
Remote Sensing in Precision Agriculture
Transforming Scientific Advancement into Innovation
1st Edition - October 20, 2023
Editors: Salim Lamine, Prashant K. Srivastava, Ahmed Kayad, Francisco Munoz Arriola, Prem Chandra Pandey
Paperback ISBN: 9780323910682
eBook ISBN: 9780323914642

I. Fundamentals of Remote Sensing:
• Electromagnetic Radiation and Spectral Reflectance
• Remote Sensing Platforms and Systems
• Radiometric Correction & Calibration

II. Types of remote sensing in agriculture:
• Multispectral and Hyperspectral Remote Sensing
• Thermal Remote Sensing
• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), passive radiometers
• LiDAR Technology and Applications in Agriculture

III. Data processing and analysis
• Spectral Signature of Vegetation and Agricultural Crops
• Vegetation Indices
• Digital Processing Techniques (Preprocessing, Enhancement, Classification)

IV. Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture:
• Land Cover Classification and Crop Mapping
• Crop Yield Estimation and Production Forecasting
• Crop Stress Detection and Monitoring
• Irrigation Management and Water Use Efficiency
• Precision Agriculture Applications
• Traceability information collection

V. Cloud-based geospatial data processing in agriculture
• Geospatial platforms for satellite data processing
• Examples and study cases of satellite data processing for agricultural applications