Remote sensing for viticultural research and production

Geospatial technologies continue to advance mapping methods across societal sectors. Remote sensing, or the collection of Earth-viewing digital images by satellite or aircraft, is increasingly used as a viticultural production tool. The images may be used in isolation, or analyzed in combination with other supporting spatial data layers within a computerized geographic information system. Physical geography and corresponding cultural management can affect grapevine productivity, fruit characteristics, and wine quality. The influence of these factors may be expressed as alterations in the biophysical or biochemical properties of the grapevine canopy in ways that are often amenable to detection by remote sensing systems. This chapter introduces remote sensing technology and surveys the field of applied viticultural research to include methods of development for on-farm management, so-called precision viticulture, and regional land cover mapping. Finally, an overview is provided of prototype remote sensing advisory systems that have been developed for operational production support in wine-growing regions worldwide.