Abstract:
This paper investigates the use of satellite data for crop area estimation in the northern
part of the West Bank, Palestine. The satellite data were obtained by the SPOT HRV
(High Resolution Visible) on 19 May 1994. The satellite data were geometrically corrected
to the Palestine Grid using 1: 50,000 Israeli topographic maps. The study investigated
the ability of SPOT HRV data to produce accurate crop area estimation of the northern
part of the West Bank that is characterized with small field sizes and complex physical
environment. The study area was divided into five strata and training data were selected
using field survey, aerial photographs, maps, and interviewing farmers.
A land cover classification scheme appropriate to the study area was designed. Twenty
three land cover classes were produced from the SPOT HRV classification. Land cover
classes were developed to produce thematic land use classes. The classification accuracy
obtained from SPOT HRV image classification was 81%. Classification results were
assessed by using the known land use information obtained from the field during the
training stage. The results were analyzed on stratum and crop type basis. Remote sensing
and thematic agricultural perspectives were used in the analysis.
Results of the study suggest that it is possible to improve image classification accuracy
by using better spatial and spectral resolution imagery and the integration of remote
sensing data with agricultural data using the Geographical Information Systems (GIS).