Tool for automated support system to monitor agricultural funding sites

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The timeStamp project addresses a range of issues that gradually help to build the web application to monitor the use of CAP supported agricultural land with the help of earth observation technologies. The project starts from a ‘needs analysis’ of the authorities likely to use the web application. It attempts to map their subject-specific requirements such as required input data, metrics, indicators and timing of the evaluations. Scientific research is used to match appropriate metric indicators and algorithms to recognise the lifetime of EFA catch crops. The timeStamp project will provide a web-based platform for different use cases. The starting point of this web application is a use case to monitor declared EFA catch crop sites in the CAP greening context. In the use case already implemented, the probability of an EFA catch crop is calculated for each parcel uploaded, and site-specific evaluation results are compiled. These results can be downloaded to support targeted planning of on-the-spot checks.

The user interface allows even users with only basic knowledge about remote sensing to integrate satellite data into their work. The verification of catch crop sites is based on analysing the temporal pattern of the Normalised Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI). The approach allows for large-scale winter catch crop monitoring and supports authorities in selecting parcels with high demand for on-site controlling. Timestamp’s classifiers can be reliably transferred to new datasets in Germany and other regions with similar bio-geographical conditions.

From a set of temporal test parameters (e.g. minima, maxima, trends), the probability of the presence of an EFA catch crop is calculated. The site-specific evaluation results and the output of visual control instructions can support the targeted planning of on-the-spot checks. With the current setup, a small set of parcels can be analysed. It is envisaged that the fully developed application will migrate to Copernicus Data and Exploitation Platform – DE (CODE-DE) for operational use and large sets of field parcels.

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Relevance for monitoring and evaluation of the CAP

The main aim of the tool is to support the targeted planning of on-the-spot checks for EFA catch crop parcels. However, these data can be used for policy evaluation because they can indicate the operation of policy measures supporting EFA catch crops. If beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries are known, the evaluation can estimate the net effects of the actions supporting EFA catch crops on soil erosion, soil organic matter (and carbon sequestration) and use of nutrients. Evaluators may also find indications on the effects of EFA catch crops in reducing pesticides and improving soil biodiversity, two policy goals at the forefront due to the Farm-to-Fork and Biodiversity strategies.

Catch crops are supported and promoted by agricultural policy measures and the greening requirements for various agronomic reasons, including soil, water and nutrient management. Concerning soil, the cultivation of catch crops increases the soil's organic matter, encourages soil biodiversity, improves compacted soil's physical properties, and offers continuous soil coverage by protecting the soil against wind and water erosion. Regarding water, catch crops improve the soil’s water capacity and support better utilisation of water. Concerning nutrient management, catch crops improve the soil’s physical properties and allow the roots to go deeper and nutrient resources to be tapped from deeper soil layers. Catch crops can reduce nitrate leaching because they use nitrogen and the nitrogen stored in the catch crop is then available to the follow-up crop in the spring. If nitrogen-fixing crops (e.g. legumes) are included in the mixture, these can supply the soil with nutrients based on biological nitrogen fixation. Catch crops can also be used to suppress weeds and control nematodes. In EFA catch crops, the application of mineral nitrogen fertilisers, pesticides, and sewage sludge is prohibited to reduce the use of mineral fertilisers and chemicals, including pesticides.

When finished, the tool will be a web application accessible by paying and managing authorities. The operation of the tool will not require any particular skills. The tool’s technology is based on Copernicus Earth Observation data and a probabilistic model to indicate the presence of catch crops. The tool can be transferred to other Member States with similar bio-geographical conditions with minimum adaptations, besides training the dataset to recognise catch-crops.

Last modification date: 
08/12/2021