Aerial survey data makes it possible to create a detailed digital passport for a territory or agricultural enterprise and obtain structured statistical information about all objects located within it.
The service is based on the collection, classification, and systematization of spatial data, including:
- Mapping and classification of fields, roads, buildings, water bodies, trees, and other farm objects.
- Statistical analysis of farm assets, including area, share of the total territory, quantity, and distances between objects.
- Terrain analysis, slope steepness assessment, and hydrological analysis.
- Agricultural field data, including fertility maps, crop rotation information, field potential, and vegetation analysis.
- Tree inventory, including quantity, occupied area, height, and crown diameter.
Project workflow
In this project, aerial data collection was performed by aircraft over a large agricultural area in Australia. The source imagery was processed into orthophoto maps by another company.
International projects have their own workflow. When surveying is performed outside Ukraine, the customer can collect the data independently. If necessary, DroneUA prepares a technical assignment with recommended survey parameters or ready-made flight routes for drones.
The captured images can then be transferred to DroneUA for processing and stitching in software such as PIX4Dmapper. Alternatively, as in this project, the customer can provide completed orthophoto maps for further GIS analysis.
Input data
The source data for this project included:
- Orthophoto maps with a ground sampling distance of 10 cm/pixel.
- Initial boundaries of the agricultural property.
The boundaries were refined according to the actual features visible in the orthophoto maps. All spatial data was created and processed using GIS software, including QGIS.
Creating the digital farm passport
Based on the orthophoto map and digital terrain model, several thematic maps were created:
- Vegetation map.
- Land use map.
- Slope aspect map.
- Slope steepness map.
Together, these datasets formed the digital passport of the farm.
The structure and number of maps can be adapted and expanded according to the customer's objectives.
Before processing began, the technical assignment was coordinated with the customer. It defined:
- The object classes to be included in the land use map.
- The list of required thematic maps.
- The preferred format for statistical data.
- The required output files and reports.
Each digital farm passport is developed individually to reflect the customer’s operational requirements.
Vegetation map
The vegetation map provides information about the condition and spatial distribution of trees.
It can include:
- Tree count.
- Occupied area.
- Tree height.
- Crown area and diameter.
- Classification by growth or development stage.
Tree counting and the calculation of crown height and area are performed through analysis of the digital surface model (DSM) and vegetation indices generated from RGB imagery.
Slope aspect map
The slope aspect map shows the spatial orientation of slopes and was generated automatically using QGIS tools.
Slope orientation affects the intensity and duration of sunlight exposure. This influences:
- The local microclimate.
- Soil formation and moisture conditions.
- Vegetation distribution.
- The suitability of land for particular crops.
General farm map
The general map provides a complete overview of the agricultural property, including the classification of all identified objects and statistical information for each category.
It can contain fields, roads, buildings, water bodies, vegetation, infrastructure, and other relevant assets.
Slope steepness map
Slope steepness analysis helps identify areas suitable for machinery access and movement.
The results can also support:
- Road design and construction planning.
- Orchard planning.
- Assessment of erosion risks.
- Selection of suitable areas for agricultural operations.
Advantages of a digital farm passport
- Access to all spatial information from computers and smartphones.
- Ability to switch layers on and off and compare different datasets.
- Accurate statistics on total and managed area, object dimensions, quantities, and distances.
- Evaluation and comparison of field potential based on terrain conditions.
- Support for the preparation of operational maps for seeders, sprayers, and other machinery.
- Potential integration with electronic farm management systems.
- Centralized storage of structured information about the territory.
Project results
The customer receives:
- Maps of farm objects and analytical layers in GeoTIFF, SHP, and KMZ formats.
- Field and object statistics presented in reports and tables.
- Interactive web maps with statistical data in HTML format that can be opened in any standard browser.
