GIS Data Layers

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

With the analytical power of GIS, it is now possible to merge traditional field data collection methods with other data sources, such as aerial photography and GPS technology, to provide a powerful tool for describing and operating agricultural systems

As evident from the above diagram, information from various conventional sources along with data from Landsat, similar earth-observing satellites, or aerial photography can be singled out and often combined to produce data elements. Elements may be further analyzed to produce spatial information products that then become viable parts of environmental resource planning, site selection and other outcomes that benefit from manipulation by modeling.

Key Benefits

• agricultural resource planning
• net profit margin increases
• improved stewardship

Data Integration

The integration of today’s technologies allows the grower to track information relating to crops and map location features that affect crop productivity. The ability of a GIS to integrate information from many sources makes it particularity attractive for farm management, vineyard and wine production, and natural resource management . The GIS serves as an integrated framework for data gathering, analysis, storage, and product development. A GIS is a powerful tool for mapping, spatial data base management, spatial statistical analysis, and modeling. Many countries have begun to integrate GIS and remote sensing in their natural crop inventory statistics programs. They are also used as the basis for famine early warning systems. Manipulation and interaction of such data as digital soil maps, field boundary maps, drainage maps, yield monitor images, fertilizer, seed, and chemical rate applications are primary to precision farming. The demand for digital data at all levels will increase dramatically as data are collected for local, regional, and national statistics, the management of crop production, transportation to markets, crop insurance decisions, marketing commodity futures and delivery of data to agriculture consultants. The GIS truly is a decision support system. Data is input, stored and retrieved, manipulated and analyzed, and finally reported to the GIS user in spatial information products like maps, tables, or charts. The process of using GIS spatial information products to make better decisions is often called "scientific visualization."

An Agricultural Decision Support System (ADSS) Flow Chart

(Click to view larger image)

Capabilities

Capability 1

Aerial infrared photographs and the NDVI analysis images can be turned into categorized shapefiles for GIS applications. (Click to view larger images)

Capability 2

Problem areas may then be registered on an orthophoto, located with GPS coordinates and measured for amount of area. (Click to view larger images)

Capability 3

Prescription maps may then be generated to help the grower apply the right amendment in the right place. Evidence of stress may also be captured by a significant decline in vegetation infrared reflectance and mapped with GPS coordinates, digitized soil maps, etc. in a time change analysis. If this is done in a timely way, an early warning system using the Internet may be an effective tool. (Click to view larger images)