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Remote Sensing

Introduction

Welcome to the comprehensive guide on INVISION Remote Sensing. INVISION leverages advanced remote sensing capabilities through a partnership with Planet Labs. This document details the remote sensing variables accessible via INVISION, emphasizing their significance in agriculture, specifically for trials, demonstrations, and commercial applications.

PlanetScope

PlanetScope imagery provides high-resolution, frequent monitoring capabilities that are essential for precision agriculture. Below are the key variables:

Imagery Type Description Bands Used Spatial Resolution Temporal Resolution Key Applications
NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) Quantifies vegetation health using red and NIR bands Red, NIR 3 meters Daily Vegetation health, crop monitoring, yield prediction
SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index) Adjusted vegetation index minimizing soil brightness impact Red, NIR (+ correction factor) 3 meters Daily Accurate vegetation monitoring in sparse areas, arid region analysis
EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index) Enhanced vegetation index reducing atmospheric and soil influences Red, NIR, Blue 3 meters Daily High biomass sensitivity, reliable under varying atmospheric conditions, detailed vegetation analysis
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) Captures visible light, similar to human vision Red, Green, Blue 3 meters Daily Visual assessment, communication of field conditions, baseline monitoring

Planetary Variables

Planetary Variables offer specialized insights critical for detailed agricultural analysis and decision-making:

Imagery Type Description Bands Used Spatial Resolution Temporal Resolution Key Applications
NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge) Measures chlorophyll content using red edge and NIR bands Red Edge, NIR 3 meters Daily Chlorophyll monitoring, early stress detection, precision agriculture
Biomass Estimates total mass of living plants Multi-spectral (varies) 3 meters Daily Productivity assessment, nutrient management, sustainable practices

Detailed Explanation of Each Variable

NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)

  • Description: NDVI is a widely used index for quantifying vegetation health by measuring the difference between near-infrared (which vegetation strongly reflects) and red light (which vegetation absorbs).
  • Importance: It provides essential information on plant vigor and health, useful for monitoring crop growth, assessing biomass production, and predicting yields.
  • Applications in INVISION: Used extensively in agricultural trials to monitor crop health and development, helping to optimize resource allocation and improve decision-making.

SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index)

  • Description: SAVI adjusts the NDVI to minimize soil brightness influences, which is particularly useful in areas with sparse vegetation.
  • Importance: Enhances the accuracy of vegetation monitoring by reducing the impact of soil reflectance, crucial in arid and semi-arid regions.
  • Applications in INVISION: Valuable in field trials and demo plots located in areas with less dense vegetation, ensuring accurate vegetation analysis.

EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index)

  • Description: EVI improves upon NDVI by reducing atmospheric and soil background influences, providing better sensitivity in high biomass regions.
  • Importance: More accurately captures vegetation details under high biomass conditions and varied atmospheric conditions.
  • Applications in INVISION: Suitable for detailed vegetation studies and high-yield crops in commercial trials, offering precise vegetation health metrics.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

  • Description: RGB imagery captures visible light, providing images similar to what the human eye sees.
  • Importance: Allows for straightforward visual inspection of crop conditions, making it easy to communicate field status to stakeholders.
  • Applications in INVISION: Used for baseline monitoring and visual assessments in all types of agricultural trials, facilitating easy interpretation and sharing of field conditions.

NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge)

  • Description: NDRE uses the red edge and near-infrared bands to measure chlorophyll content, which is a strong indicator of plant health.
  • Importance: Particularly effective for early detection of crop stress and chlorophyll levels, allowing for timely intervention.
  • Applications in INVISION: Critical in precision agriculture and high-value crops, used in both demo and commercial trials for early stress detection and management.

Crop Biomass

  • Description: Biomass estimation from satellite imagery measures the total mass of living plants in a given area.
  • Importance: Provides insights into crop productivity and health, essential for yield prediction and management.
  • Applications in INVISION: Key for assessing productivity in large-scale commercial trials and ensuring sustainable nutrient management practices.

Differences in Imagery Types

PlanetScope and Planetary Variables offer distinct advantages for agricultural monitoring:

  • PlanetScope: Provides high-resolution, daily imagery using various spectral indices (NDVI, SAVI, EVI, RGB) tailored for general vegetation monitoring and visual assessments. Ideal for continuous monitoring of crop health and development in agricultural trials.
  • Planetary Variables: Focuses on specific indices like NDRE and Biomass, offering targeted insights into chlorophyll content and overall plant mass. These are critical for precision agriculture applications, high-value crop management, and sustainable practices.

Importance for Agricultural Trials

  • Demo Trials: Allows for detailed monitoring and demonstration of crop performance under various treatments, enhancing the credibility and attractiveness of new agricultural products.
  • Commercial Trials: Provides comprehensive data to support large-scale agricultural operations, optimizing resource use, and maximizing yields.
  • Agricultural Management: Enhances decision-making with precise, timely data on crop health, stress, and productivity, supporting sustainable and profitable farming practices.

Conclusion

INVISION's integration with Planet Labs' remote sensing capabilities empowers agricultural professionals with advanced tools for monitoring and managing their fields. By utilizing a combination of PlanetScope and Planetary Variables, users can gain comprehensive insights into their crops, ensuring better outcomes in agricultural trials, demos, and commercial operations. Embrace the future of agriculture with INVISION and unlock the potential of your fields.

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