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application of gis in agriculture
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Applications of G.I.S. in Agriculture and Ecology
Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S.) is one of the fastest growing technologies today. This field covers anything and everything that can be mapped, anything from weeds to urban sprawl, if it can be mapped, G.I.S. can be used. G.I.S. uses computers to store, analyze, and show data collected about a given topic(Kennedy 1), (Zimmerman 5-9, 73-91). G.I.S. basically turns a computer into an atlas(Kennedy 1). With all this information available, how can it help the field of agriculture? G.I.S. has been used to track the spread of noxious weeds, grasshoppers, soil types, and various other factors, which help in agriculture.
First off, we can cover some G.I.S. basics. The information that is put into G.I.S. is collected from remote sensing, which can consist of aerial photography, satellite imagery, or raw G.P.S. data. G.I.S. has two main categories: raster and vector(Johnston 1-77). Raster G.I.S. uses cells and numbers to represent real objects in the world(Johnston 1-77), (Zimmerman 5-9, 73-91). These cells are assigned numerical values to represent objects in the real world. For example a certain cell could be numbered 353, and could represent a swamp, mountain, river bed, or any other physical feature found on the earth, or whatever the G.I.S. is being applied to. Vector G.I.S. represents the world by using a series of lines, shapes, and points. This G.I.S. presents physical features, or whatever the G.I.S. applies to in realistic shapes(Zimmerman 5-9, 73-91). Both of these types of G.I.S. would be applicable in agricultural systems, the vector type being more visual oriented and the raster looking more like a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet(Zimmerman 5-9, 73-91). It just depends on what you are studying, for example the terrain analysis for a new field would probably be best suited to a vector G.I.S., whereas a raster G.I.S. would be more applicable in following the movement of grasshoppers across the state of Wyoming(Zimmerman 5-9, 73-91).
G.I.S. applications are currently being used to track weed invasion in the Jack Morrow Hills area of northern Sweetwater County and southwestern Fremont County(Gillham 1-68). This is done through the remote sensing application of aerial photography. The mapping of weeds is very important to the agriculturist. They can use the information that has been collected to put forth preventative measures to keep out certain invasive species. This plays a huge role near the Jack Morrow Hills, the nearby communities of Farson and Eden both rely mainly on hay and alfalfa crops as a source of income, and with G.
to use a system or land survey similar to that used in the western part of
During the early part of the growing season, this field had some significant weed pressure consisting mostly of Shepherd’s Purse, Cockleburs, Field Bindweed, Henbit, Marestail, Musk Thistle, Pennsylvania Smartweed, and Yellow Nutsedge. After being sprayed, most of these weeds were killed and did not present any significant issues later in the year. Other pest found included some Wireworms, Stink Bugs, and
agricultural conservation easement of a piece of property, that organization then has the right to restrict future land uses that may affect future agricultural use ("Purchase"1). The purchase of conservation easements is an effective tool that is also used by organizations attempting to protect ranchland and open space (Cooper871inb). A second tool used by land trusts, education, attempts to make the public aware of how urban sprawl is threatening farmland and why this threat must be stopped ("About"1). The last, and most important, way these organizations are protecting endangered farmland is by working with the government at all levels to form public policies dealing with the problems the farmers and farmland of this country are facing.
Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds. (2002). [Online]. Available: http://ficmnew.fws.gov/index.html [2002, October 14].
Technology and computers have revolutionized many of the aspects of our lives. Many professions and businesses have used technology to their advantage and completely changed industries. One profession that has drastically changed because of computers and technology is cartography or mapmaking. The impact of technology on geographic information and mapmaking has led to new techniques and skills for these now computer-based jobs and careers. New technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS) have emerged in mapmaking. There are also new Internet-based map services including MapQuest and MapBlast as well as other digital maps.
Agricultural methodology and process has been improved and benefitted with new technologies. Precision Agriculture (PA) definition is evolving with technology development. Most precise definition may be “The application of technologies and agronomic principles to manage spatial and temporal variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production for the purpose of improving crop performance and environmental quality”[1]. PA is conceptualized by a system approach to re-organize the total system of agriculture towards a low-input, high-efficiency and sustainable agriculture[2]. As new technologies are emerging, they are also converging which has opened new domains for development is PA. Mainly two key technologies which benefited PA, namely Global Positioning System(GPS) and Geographical Information System(GIS). Furthermore shrinking size of electronic components, mobile computing, advancement in data processing, enhanced communication techniques, Computer vision, Machine learning, advanced control systems and automation has drifted PA to new horizon.
The first experiment used was that of the Comparative Yield Method. This method requires two sets of data to be collected in order to get relevant inferences about the area. The grass biomasses are classed according to a three-class system. The classes are based on the biomass of the grasses in a given quadrat. The quadrat with a high biomass is a rank 3, whereas a quadrat with a low biomass has a rank of 1. In between these two is obviously a rank 2. If a quadrat has an intermittent value, then a rank of 1.5 or 2.5 can be given. The first set of data collected is to calibrate the classes, so three samples of each rank are cut and dried to be weighed later. This is done to get an idea of how much biomass is present per rank. The second set of data collected is done by taking a random transect of about 25 metres and noting the ranks at each meter interval. These points are recorded used to make inferences on the available biomass in the area.
...t support for realizing intensive, high-yield, high-quality, high-efficiency, ecological and safe agricultural, its main techniques such as RFID, photo acoustic electromagnetic sensors, "3S" technology, laser scanner, etc, can make great breakthrough on agricultural product safety, agriculture information transmission, intelligent detecting, intelligent
Improvements in the socio-economic patterns in India, China, Brazil and few other developing countries have opened new channels & opportunities for precision agriculture in these countries (Mondal, P. and Basu, M., 2009)”. India is a land of agriculture with large numbers of crops cultivated and the major pulses like wheat, pulses, rice, cotton, maize within top 10 in the world. However, when you take into consideration the ranking on quality wise it does not reach high. Although crops are being grown in India, The ratio of fertilizers used per area and the nutrition needs of the plants are not met. It is almost 3-5 times lesser to what is used in developed countries. With PA, you can achieve this needs of the plants, but studying the crop, soil and terrains. With the recent advancement in ISRO (Indian Satellite Research Organization) launching GPS and the IT revolution has changed the Indian environment making inroads for new scopes in farm sectors. There is also a misinterpretation that these technologies cannot be used in small scale farms. There are few technologies like chlorophyll meter (SPAD) and leaf colour chart (LCC) hand held portable devices to determine the timing of crop and the nutrient content. Government has been supportive in encouraging growers in small community to use GIS systems, and internet to understand the
Geographers plan new communities, decide where new highways should be placed, and establish evacuation plans. Computerized mapping and data analysis is known as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a new frontier in geography. Spatial data is gathered on a variety of subjects and input onto a computer. GIS users can create an infinite number of maps by requesting portions of the data to plot.
Land and land advancement (Location, range, suitability, vicinity to street, site map and so on.)
Remote Sensing (RS) is becoming an essential tool to monitor, map and observe rice growing over large areas, at repeated time intervals (Son, N.T., et al., 2012). According to review article of Remote Sensing of Rice Crop Areas by Kuenzer, C., & Knauer, K., 2013 Remote Sensing combined with Geographical Information System (GIS), can provide reliable information for a variety of purposes related to rice farming as follows.
As applications of geospatial technologies continuously break the disciplinary barrier, the need for books on these technologies to reach diverse audiences is greater than ever. The challenge, however, is to write a book on this complicated subject that incorporates the knowledge of multiple disciplines and makes it valuable for those who may or may not have diverse educational backgrounds, but require using these technologies. Most books on geospatial technologies target a specific audience. Contrary to this, Geographical Information Science tries to target three different audiences (users, students, and engineers) by using formats and languages comfortable to them. While this effort is laudable, maintaining the balance and attractiveness to all the three audiences is challenging. The author, Narayan Panigrahi, has accomplished this balancing act but with mixed outcomes. His computer science background is clearly seen in the structure and contents of the chapters.
Zimmerman, H. G. and Neser, S. 1999. Trends and prospects for biological control of weeds
GIS is an emerging method of data storage and interpretation. GIS is, simply put a database. It is many tables of data organized by one common denominator, location. The data in a GIS system is organized spatially, or by its physical location on the base map. The information that is stored in the database is the location and attributes that exist in that base map, such as streets, highways, water lines, sewers, manholes, properties, and buildings, etc. each of these items don’t just exist in the database, the attributes associated with the item is also stored. A good example of this would be a specific sewer line, from and arbitrary point A to a point B. Ideally, the sewer line would be represented graphically, with a line connecting the two points or something of the like. When one retrieves the information for that line in particular, the attribute data would be shown. This data would include the size of pipe, the pipe material, the upper invert elevation, the downstream invert elevation, the date installed, and any problem history associated with that line. This is the very gist of what a GIS system is.