2,697 research outputs found
Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry for the monitoring of vineyard terraced landscapes
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Soil and water conservation in terraced and non‐terraced cultivations: an extensive comparison of 50 vineyards
No full textLandslides in steep-slope agricultural landscapes
No full textAgricultural landscapes cover a significant part of the Earth. In floodplains, we can find large areas dedicated to intensive agriculture. However, also on hills and mountains, agricultural activity can be relevant from the socio-economic point of view. Nowadays, such areas are increasingly under threat because of global environmental changes. Widespread growing rainfall aggressiveness due to climate change, in addition to land abandonment, lack of structural maintenance, and in some cases unsuitable agronomic practices are exposing steep-slope agricultural landscapes to increased hazard of landslides. A suitable hazard assessment and zonation of these phenomena would help better management of such agricultural landscapes. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of this relevant problem focusing on (i) the contribution of remote sensing technologies (e.g., LiDAR and UAV photogrammetry) in mapping the investigated processes, and (ii) discussing advances and limitations of susceptibility modelling
Slope instabilities in steep cultivation systems: Process classification and opportunities from remote sensing
No full textThe cultivation of steep slopes is a widespread practice in hilly and mountainous areas around the world. Such environments often result in particular agricultural systems linked with unique local values of historical and cultural heritage, economy, and food security. However, steep‐slope agriculture is inherently exposed to slope instability processes, which are now widely aggravated due to natural (e.g., growing rainfall aggressiveness) and anthropogenic factors (e.g., unsuitable maintenance or agronomic practices). In the literature, among the many articles published on soil erosion, a specific focus on the analysis of slope instabilities in steep cultivation systems is lacking. The purpose of this article is, therefore, to create a specific overview of this problem, with some useful insights into the role of remote sensing. We introduce the problem first, highlighting the main issues related to slope instabilities in steep cultivated areas. Then we provided a classification of key published papers, based on the different types of mass movements studied and their location in the world. The spatial comparison of past research and estimated global hazard of the mass movement in agricultural areas highlighted a relevant bias: a strong scientific focus on southern European countries, yet large rural areas are at risk on all continents, many of these unexplored by science. The third section is related to the contribution of remote sensing technologies (e.g., LiDAR and RPAS photogrammetry) in mapping the investigated processes. This study could help to guide future research for better management of such socio‐economically relevant agricultural landscapes
Design of terrace drainage networks using UAV-based high-resolution topographic data
No full textHillslope viticulture has a long history in Mediterranean Europe, and still holds important cultural and economic value. Steep hillsides have widely been levelled by terraces, in order to control surface water flow and facilitate cultivation. However, under unsustainable management and growing rainfall aggressiveness, terraced vineyards have become one of the most erosion-prone agricultural landscapes. The Valcamonica valley in Lombardy (Italy) presents a typical example of an ancient wine production region where rural land abandonment has previously caused widespread degradation of the traditional terracing systems. Recently, a local revival of wine production led to restoration plans of the terraces and their drainage functioning, to safeguard productivity and hydrogeologic safety. In this study, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) survey was carried out to reconstruct an accurate and precise 3D terrain model of a Valcamonica vineyard. through photogrammetry. The resulting high-resolution topographic data allowed insights of surface flow-induced soil erosion patterns based on the Relative Path Impact Index (RPII). Three diverse drainage networks were designed and digitally implemented, allowing scenario analysis of the costs and benefits in terms of potential erosion mitigation. The presented methodology could likely improve the time-efficiency and cost-effectiveness of similar restoration plans in degraded landscapes
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