Mapping Rural Areas with Widespread Plastic Covered Vineyards Using True Color Aerial Data

Eufemia Tarantino,Benedetto Figorito

doi:10.3390/rs4071913

Abstract

Plastic covering is used worldwide to protect crops against damaging growing conditions. This agricultural practice raises some controversial issues. While it significantly impacts on local economic vitality, plasticulture also shows several environmental affects. In the Apulia Region (Italy) the wide-spreading of artificial plastic coverings for vineyard protection has showed negative consequences on the hydrogeological balance of soils as well as on the visual quality of rural landscape. In order to monitor and manage this phenomenon, a detailed site mapping has become essential. In this study an efficient object-based classification procedure from Very High Spatial Resolution (VHSR) true color aerial data was developed on eight test areas located in the Ionian area of the Apulia Region in order to support the updating of the existing land use database aimed at plastic covered vineyard monitoring.

Highlights

In some parts of the Mediterranean area, vineyards represent the largest agro-ecosystem and impact on income, employment and environment [1]
The areas under study were chosen in view of their similar land use patterns and topography compared to other rural areas of the Apulia region
The territory shows various landscapes mainly constituted by Karst and rich soil with moderate hills (“Murgia Tarantina”) ranging from 110 to 480 m in altitude alternated with flat territory close to the Ionian Sea

Summary

Introduction

In some parts of the Mediterranean area, vineyards represent the largest agro-ecosystem and impact on income, employment and environment [1]. As a matter of fact, the Apulia Region (Italy) shows a considerably heterogeneous and fragmented agricultural landscape caused by several environmental and anthropic dynamics. In this area, despite representing an important source of support for local economy, agricultural practices are one of the causes contributing to soil alteration phenomena [2]. The term plasticulture [4] is used in literature to describe all kinds of plastic plant/soil coverings in agriculture practices. Such coverings range from plastic mulch film, row coverings, high and low tunnels (poly tunnels), to plastic greenhouses [5]. Considering the main agricultural activities typifying the study area, only vineyards covered with plastic sheets for advancing or postponing crop yield were included in this research (Figure 1(a))

Methods

Results

Conclusion