Crop species classification: A phenology based approach

We investigated the use of phenological information extracted from satellite imagery combined with crop calendar and supported by agro-ecological zoning (AEZ) in accurate crop classification and monitoring. Vegetation indices extracted from Landsat 8 imagery are capable to track the vegetation development through the year and from them the phenological profile can be extrapolated and implemented into a multi-temporal automatic classification process to detect agricultural vegetated areas and to discriminate among different crop species. The phenological profiles extracted by satellite images were compared with crop calendar data, compiled by FAO for the area of interest. The classification procedure is supported by the agro-ecological zoning which, based on crop modeling and environmental matching procedures, identifies crop-specific environmental limitations under assumed levels of inputs and management conditions. Accurate crop classification and monitoring is the main objective of the SBAM (Satellite Based Agricultural Monitoring) project funded by the Italian Space Agency and focused on Kenya.