Spatiotemporal dynamics of agricultural areas with central pivot using orbital remote sensing in the Brazilian semiarid

Abstract

It is essential to know the dynamics of agricultural areas through surface energy balance components such as radiation balance, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture for the sustainable management of water use in irrigation. In the present study, we undertook to monitor and evaluate the spatiotemporal dynamics of an irrigated area with a center pivot in a region of the Brazilian semiarid region, based on physical and water parameters of the energy balance, using remote sensing techniques. The work was developed using three Landsat-8 satellite images, implementing the Surface Energy Balance Algorithms for Land (SEBAL), responsible for extracting geospatial information. In addition, surface meteorological data were used for image corrections and calibrations. The results presented, from thematic maps, monitoring of the spatiotemporal dynamics of irrigated areas, specifying mainly the production of irrigated corn with pivot. Thus, because of the physical-water parameters, photosynthetically active radiation irrigated areas and water deficit were identified, with higher and lower values of the radiation balance, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture, respectively. Therefore, spatiotemporal monitoring of the dynamics of irrigated areas can help in planning and managing the proper management of agricultural systems for the sustainable use of water in the Brazilian semiarid region. The MNDWI proved to be sensitive and efficient to analyze the dynamics of the presence of water in center pivot irrigation and can be an effective part of irrigation management in the region.

Keywords

• Energy balance
• Water resources
• Irrigated agriculture
• Water deficit
• Geoprocessing