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Abstract
Global crop condition information for major agricultural regions in the world can be monitored using the web-based application called Crop Explorer. With this application, U.S. and international producers, traders, researchers, and the public can access remote sensing information used by agricultural economists and scientists who predict crop production worldwide. For example, regional droughts or excessively wet conditions can be identified in thematic maps by the amount of ground-surface “greenness” depicted by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Crop Explorer automates the processing and extraction of certain agro-meteorological indicators from the source data. Information is presented using thematic maps and time series charts for weather, crop model, soil moisture and vegetation indices. These indicators—from weather and satellite data—are defined by crop type, crop region (sub-national), and season. The data visualization products are updated every ten days. The site includes more than 11,800 charts and maps. Partnerships with NASA provide near real-time satellite imagery (MODIS Rapid Response) and reservoir height estimates. MODIS satellite imagery is acquired twice a day and is posted on the site approximately six hours after acquisition. Reservoir height estimates are updated every 10 days and are derived from satellite data (TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1). The Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division (PECAD) of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) developed the site. PECAD is responsible for global crop condition assessments and estimates of area, yield, and production for grains, oilseeds, and cotton. The primary mission of PECAD is to produce the most objective and accurate assessment of the global agricultural production outlook and the conditions affecting food security in the world. Regional analysts use Geographic Information System (GIS) and web-based tools—such as Crop Explorer—to analyze crops, weather, and satellite data.
Parent Publication
Citation
Tetrault, Bob; Baldwin, Bob. 2006. Monitoring Global Crop Condition Indicators Using a Web-Based Visualization Tool. In: Aguirre-Bravo, C.; Pellicane, Patrick J.; Burns, Denver P.; and Draggan, Sidney, Eds. 2006. Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere Proceedings RMRS-P-42CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 744-748
