Twenty Years of Remote Sensing Applications Targeting Landscape Analysis and Environmental Issues in Olive Growing: A Review

Abstract

The olive (Olea europaea L.) is an iconic tree linked to the birth of some of the most ancient civilizations and one of the most important cultivated tree species in the Mediterranean basin. Over the last few decades, given the high socio-economic importance of the olive sector, there has been much research involving remote sensing (RS) applications in olive growing, especially in precision agriculture. This review article is part of a review that aims to cover the past, from the 2000s onwards, and the most recent applications of remote sensing (RS) in olive growing to be able to include research and all topics related to the use of RS on olive trees. As far as the use of RS platforms such as satellites, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in olive growing is concerned, a review of the literature showed the presence of several works devoted to it. A brief introduction on the history of the olive tree and its distribution and cultivation around the world, together with a summary of the leading RS platforms (a good portion of which are satellites) used in olive research, anticipates the discussion of four topics about olive growing that have as their common thread positive (and non-positive) impacts on the environment: preservation of olive landscape and soil erosion, identification of olive groves, olive oil mill wastewater (OOMW) and relative environmental risks, irrigation water management and the use of RS platforms for water stress monitoring. The preservation of olive groves as an element of Mediterranean identity and strategic economic resource in agriculture depends on sustainable environmental management alongside technological advances brought by precision agriculture.

Advancements in Remote Sensing Imagery Applications for Precision Management in Olive Growing: A Systematic Review

“…In the context of technological progress, RS data emerge as an indispensable tool extensively used in PA for sustainable agriculture management and monitoring [8]. Providing non-destructive methodologies with high spatial, radiometric and temporal resolutions, RS allows the characterization and monitoring of spatiotemporal variability for multidimensional purposes [9][10][11][12][13]. Over the past few decades, RS technology has played a crucial role in the development of new agricultural applications, focusing primarily on monitoring vegetation cover [14][15][16], assessing crop vigor conditions [17][18][19], estimating nutrient and water status [20][21][22], determining crop evapotranspiration (ET c ) [23][24][25], identifying and managing invasive plants [26][27][28], detecting and monitoring pest/diseases [29][30][31] and forecasting crop yields [32][33][34].…”

“…Consequently, this review article aims to explore the applications of RS in olive cultivation, providing a comprehensive analysis that extends beyond the surface and emphasizing the transformative role that RS technology can play in developing sustainable and resilient agricultural practices for the future. This review allowed for the identification of three publications with similar topics [10][11][12]. However, the temporal scope covered ends in 2021 [10] and March 2022 [11,12].…”

“…This review allowed for the identification of three publications with similar topics [10][11][12]. However, the temporal scope covered ends in 2021 [10] and March 2022 [11,12]. It was precisely in these latter two years, not covered by those works, that a significant increase in RS applications in olive orchards was observed.…”

“…In fact, approximately 30% of the 218 studies considered in this review belong to 2022 and 2023. This gap is evident in the mentioned reviews, as only 56, 72, and 41 studies were considered, respectively, in [10][11][12]. Therefore, there is a significant need to investigate these recent contributions to evaluate the advancements of RS in this field.…”

The Role of Remote Sensing in Olive Growing Farm Management: A Research Outlook from 2000 to the Present in the Framework of Precision Agriculture Applications

“…The first review dealing with the research of RS applications in olive growing for the preservation of the olive landscape, monitoring of land use, management of irrigation resources, and environmental issues arising from olive oil mill wastes was reported in Messina and Modica [10]. This article, instead, covers purely agronomic matters of interest to olive farms, such as yielding and managing diseases and pests, detection, and counting of olive trees.…”