Vegetation Indices in Precision Agriculture

Welcome to the course that deals with the meaning and interpretation of vegetation indices in agriculture. The course will focus on the use of freely available satellite data, particularly from Sentinel 1 and 2 and Landsat satellites. We will explore how these data can be effectively used to derive vegetation indices and what relevance they have for the diagnosis and monitoring of agricultural areas.

In this specialised course, we will focus exclusively on understanding the different vegetation indices and their specific uses in the context of agricultural research and management.

Vegetation indices are sophisticated metrics derived from satellite data that provide valuable information about vegetation such as its density, health and growth dynamics. These indices are essential for modern farmers and agronomists as they allow them to track changes in vegetation over time, assess the effects of agricultural interventions and adapt management strategies to maximise yields and minimise environmental impacts.

We will look at a wide range of vegetation indices, from the most well-known NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), to modified indices such as SAVI (Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index) for areas with low vegetation cover, to specific indices such as NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index) for detecting water stress.

This course aims to provide farmers, agronomists and researchers with a thorough understanding of vegetation indices and their practical applications for agricultural purposes. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to interpret satellite data and use vegetation indices to make informed decisions leading to greater efficiency and sustainability in agriculture.