Space-based SAR and optical remote sensing for productivity monitoring and mapping of sugarcane

In this study, research on productivity and land cover monitoring is presented, with a focus on sugarcane, based on space-based remote sensing observations that were collected by Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical sensors. The study aims to provide new insights into techniques and methodologies that allow for cost-efficient monitoring of sugarcane productivity and the wide-scale expansion of sugarcane over long time series. It is part of a wider framework of research projects, sharing the overarching goal to contribute to a biobased society, where the resources for the production of chemicals, materials and energy are based on biomass, produced in a competitive and sustainable manner. Sao Paulo state, Brazil, was selected as study area, primarily because it is one of the most prominent regions worldwide that hosts sugarcane, which is one of themost prominent crops for bio-energy production. The study includes the following research. First of all, results are presented that are based on a wide range of biophysical measurements thatwere collected during a year-long ground measurement campaign in several sugarcane fields. These results are accompanied by detailed quality assessments, illustrating their reliability when collecting such measurements through such campaigns.