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| | | | | | | Satellite images aid implementation of agricultural reforms
13 April 2007
| An ESA-backed project has demonstrated how Earth observation satellites can assist in the cross compliance measures – a set of environmental and animal welfare standards that farmers have to respect to receive full funding from the European Union - included in the 2003 reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy. By using special classification procedures on very high resolution (VHR) satellite images, identification of landscape features, including hedges, tree rows, water ponds, walls and single trees, is possible. By comparing older and recent images of these same areas with the processed ‘reference landscape feature’ layer, the removal of these features can be detected.
Credits: EUROSENSE | |  |  | |
| | | | | To protect soils against erosion risks and improve soil structure, the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) states farmers must establish an 'environmental cover’ for a buffer width around waterways on all parcels adjacent to waterways to restrict diffuse pollution in waters and soils. Because satellite images allow for the interpretation of agricultural parcels, compliancy can be easily detected.
Credits: EUROSENSE | | | | |
| | | | | According to the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC), farmers have to plough or plant parallel to contour lines to avoid erosion on slopes more than or equal to a certain percentage defined by the country (e.g. slope of 10 percent). By detecting parcels within this slope range, detecting the slope direction and the ploughing or planting direction, it is possible to determine whether the farmer is compliant.
Credits: EUROSENSE | | | | |
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| | Related news Airborne and satellite radars record Frascati grape harvestIn depth Earth Observation Market DevelopmentRelated links EUROSENSECommon Agricultural Policy (CAP)
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