Satellites for gathering actual crop growth information
How is it possible to get crop information from satellites?
Every crop shows a lot about it's biological stadium through radiation data of it's leafs. Much more then the human eye can perceive. Satellites routinely scan this radiation data from the earth's surface. With the right data model this data can be processed to actual and usefull crop growth information.
Croplook uses a variaty of satellites with different cameras and resolutions to collect radiation data from more then 20 bandwidths. Processed through complex algorithms in the SEBAL model, it provides actual crop information in absolute figures like kg/ha. That's unique in the world.
There's no need for ground support. So the information can be provided at low cost and is available everywhere in the world. The internet based geo applications in Croplook bring the data on the desk of every professional in the agriculture business. Just a few days after it was recorded in space.
What is Remote Sensing?
The technique to collect data from a great distance is called Remote Sensing. Done by satellites it's rather cheap and easy accesible. For Croplook we use several type of satellites and camera's with different resolution to record the reflection data. The mix of thoose sources reinforces the reliability and makes the system less vulnerable for cloudiness skies.
The opposite of remote sensing is near sensing. This gathering of data for agriculture purposes is done by sensors on machinery in the fields. Not used by Croplook because of the limited bandwidths and needed local intervention on fields owned by farmers.
What is the SEBAL data model?
The radiation data from satellites is processed through a data model to get the figures you need to feed your business intelligence. Croplook uses the unique SEBAL model. This model has been developed at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands, by Prof Dr Wim Bastiaanssen. SEBAL stands for Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land and is based on the actual intake of CO² and the evaporation H²O of plants. The SEBAL model is accurate per pixel with resolutions down to 10x10 meters. SEBAL is rapidly gaining worldwide recognition through its practical application in a variety of projects, of which the latest is the detailed and accurate measurement of crops in the field. Used by farmers to gain more productivity of a large number of crops.
SEBAL is the only model in the world, which provides directly useful quantitative data such as kilograms per hectare or liters per square meter. The model is validated in scientific institutes, through technology assessments and has proven itself in agricultural practice.
Why is the SEBAL model different from other Remote Sensing techniques?
The model is based on complex algorithms using radiation and temperature data to solve the energy balance in crops.The elaborate model is the only one in the world which provides absolute crop information in killograms per hectare or millimeters per hectare without ground support. You'll find more about the SEBAL model here.
Is Croplook the only system in the world that does not require field information to validate itself?
As far as we know it is. By using the SEBAL model we offer you directly absolute figures about the actual crop growth situation. In contrast with frugal data models we do not only produce indices -like vegetation index (NDVI) or leaf area index (LAI)- but we measure also the production of biomass (in kg per hectare), several evapotranspiration rates and even the nitrogen content in the crop.
So the production of acurate yield data is done by the accumulation of independent measured growth parameters based on validated crop growth models. This in contrast with data models which try to deduct biomass production numbers of NDVI of LAI. This last method of working is criticised often and certainly not used by Croplook.
How do I know the information provided by Croplook is right?
The SEBAL model is validated in numerous of scientific institutes and through several technology assessments. Most important is that it has proven itself in agricultural practice. In several projects during the years 2001 until 2007. In 2008 the same model is applied in a webbased system called Mijnakker.nl (www.mijnakker.nl) for farmers in the Netherlands to improve their cultivation of crops. More information about the validation is available at Basfood, please fill in the form on this website with your request.