GIS and remote sensing in diachronic study of agriculture in Greece

Abstract

A basic control factor of diachronic monitoring of land use is the recording of land use in different time periods. The agricultural cadastre and the recording of cultivated land with the use of a GIS will facilitate the calculation of subsidies, the control of irrigations, the guarantee of quality of biological products, the land control, the damage assessment from meteorological phenomena etc. Data that can be used are the statistical elements, the aerial photographs and the satellite pictures. The use of aerial photographs is ideal for the follow-up of changes that occur in the use of ground of rural extents; pasture lands and forests over a long period of time. The technique of three-dimensional visualization facilitates the use of TeleSurveying technologies. Tele Surveying is useful in recognizing objects and ground characteristics with the observation from receptions above the ground. A more modern extension of using aerial photographs is the utilization of satellite pictures. As the relevant technology progresses it allows henceforth the reception of digital photographs from very long distance with high precision. The observation of changes in earth's anaglyph with the use of Remote Sensing is the most recent trend in relevant research field. Serves specifically in regions with changes in bents, with problem of landslips, floods etc. Case studies of applying these technologies in Greece are presented and critically discussed. Rural land recording, precious material in the hands of institutions for the realisation of controls, forecasts and finally for making better political decisions that will help agricultural growth, Greek economy and environmental protection are deliberated.