Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/58864
Title: A Multifaceted Approach to Developing an Australian National Map of Protected Cropping Structures
Contributor(s): Clark, Andrew  (author)orcid ; Shephard, Craig  (author)orcid ; Robson, Andrew  (author)orcid ; McKechnie, Joel  (author)orcid ; Morrison, R Blake (author); Rankin, Abbie (author)
Publication Date: 2023
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/land12122168
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/58864
Abstract: 

Abstract: As the global population rises, there is an ever-increasing demand for food, in terms of volume, quality and sustainable production. Protected Cropping Structures (PCS) provide controlled farming environments that support the optimum use of crop inputs for plant growth, faster production cycles, multiple growing seasons per annum and increased yield, while offering greater control of pests, disease and adverse weather. Globally, there has been a rapid increase in the adoption of PCS. However, there remains a concerning knowledge gap in the availability of accurate and up-to-date spatial information that defines the extent (location and area) of PCS. This data is fundamental for providing metrics that inform decision making around forward selling, labour, processing and infrastructure requirements, traceability, biosecurity and natural disaster preparedness and response. This project addresses this need, by developing a national map of PCS for Australia using remotely sensed imagery and deep learning analytics, ancillary data, field validation and industry engagement. The resulting map presents the location and extent of all commercial glasshouses, polyhouses, polytunnels, shadehouses and permanent nets with an area of >0.2 ha. The outcomes of the project revealed deep learning techniques can accurately map PCS with models achieving F-Scores > 0.9 and accelerate the mapping where suitable imagery is available. Location-based tools supported by web mapping applications were critical for the validation of PCS locations and for building industry awareness and engagement. The final national PCS map is publicly available through an online dashboard which summarises the area of PCS structures at a range of scales including state/territory, local government area and individual structure. The outcomes of this project have set a global standard on how this level of mapping can be achieved through a collaborative, multifaceted approach.

Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Land, 12(12), p. 1-22
Publisher: MDPI AG
Place of Publication: Switzerland
ISSN: 2073-445X
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 401304 Photogrammetry and remote sensing
3002 Agriculture, land and farm management
460304 Computer vision
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 280101 Expanding knowledge in the agricultural, food and veterinary sciences
260199 Environmentally sustainable plant production not elsewhere classified
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Science and Technology

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