Applying Earth Observation to Detect Non-Authorised Irrigation: The Case Study of Consorzio Sannio Alifano (Italy)

Abstract

SUMMARYIn addition to reducing global water availability unauthorized irrigation and over-consumption can have social consequences in terms of conflicting water use. In its Water Framework Directive, the European Union (EU) has outlined an agenda for future water policy, emphasizing that, to ensure a sustainable use of water resources, these practices should be strongly opposed. In order to address this problem efficiently, water managers need to map irrigated area, plan the rational use of water resources under limited availability, and prevent unauthorized irrigation. We are currently developing an innovative system to do this based on a series of multi-spectral satellite acquisitions from two sensors having different spatial and temporal resolutions (DEIMOS, Rapid Eye). In this system, the irrigated area is identified based on temporal pattern recognition, exploiting the differing developmental rates between irrigated and not irrigated crops. This method was applied in the district of Consorzio Sannio Alifano, located in Southern Italy, where irrigation is required for most crops including corn, alfalfa, fruit trees and vegetables. An accuracy assessment of the methodology has been performed and has demonstrated positive results of this approach. Future system upgrades will exploit information derived from shortwave infrared data obtained using of the newly developed Sentinel-2 sensor. The approach described herein is the technological basis of a recently-funded EU H2020 project, named Detection and Integrated Assessment of Non-authorised water Abstractions using Earth Observation or DIANA.