Earth observation data-driven cropland soil monitoring

A review

authored by
Nikolaos Tziolas, Nikolaos Tsakiridis, Sabine Chabrillat, José A.M. Demattê, Eyal Ben-Dor, Asa Gholizadeh, George Zalidis, Bas van Wesemael
Abstract

We conducted a systematic review and inventory of recent research achievements related to spaceborne and aerial Earth Observation (EO) data-driven monitoring in support of soil-related strategic goals for a three-year period (2019–2021). Scaling, resolution, data characteristics, and modelling approaches were summarized, after reviewing 46 peer-reviewed articles in international journals. Inherent limitations associated with an EO-based soil mapping approach that hinder its wider adoption were recognized and divided into four categories: (i) area covered and data to be shared; (ii) thresholds for bare soil detection; (iii) soil surface conditions; and (iv) infrastructure capabilities. Accordingly, we tried to redefine the meaning of what is expected in the next years for EO data-driven topsoil monitoring by performing a thorough analysis driven by the upcoming technological waves. The review concludes that the best practices for the advancement of an EO data-driven soil mapping include: (i) a further leverage of recent artificial intelligence techniques to achieve the desired representativeness and reliability; (ii) a continued effort to share harmonized labelled datasets; (iii) data fusion with in situ sensing systems; (iv) a continued effort to overcome the current limitations in terms of sensor resolution and processing limitations of this wealth of EO data; and (v) political and administrative issues (e.g., funding, sustainability). This paper may help to pave the way for further interdisciplinary research and multi-actor coordination activities and to generate EO-based benefits for policy and economy.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Soil Science
External Organisation(s)
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (A.U.Th.)
Universidade de Sao Paulo
Tel Aviv University
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
Université catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Type
Book/Film/Article review in journal
Journal
Remote sensing
Volume
13
ISSN
2072-4292
Publication date
04.11.2021
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13214439 (Access: Open)