Application of EOS/MODIS Data to Monitoring Sugarcane Cold Damage

MODIS data with 250 meters resolution and the vegetation condition index are applied to set up a technological method of remote sensing to monitor and evaluate the sugarcane cold damage in Guangxi. Based upon MODIS data and the geo-data derived from sugarcane sample area determined by GPS, the sugarcane cold damage monitoring and evaluating model and the relevant work flow are constructed. According to the theory, value of normalized difference vegetation index is obviously lower than that of normal time after the cold damage. Through statistical analysis, the remote sensing monitoring and evaluating classification index of Guangxi sugarcane cold damage is attained by combination of the records of cold damage of Guangxi sugarcane during 2001--2007, overall analysis of the Guangxi sugarcane cold damage data from the agricultural department, the cold damage data of Guangxi sugarcane using remote sensing means and the field investigating data of some local sugarcane cold damage fields. Moreover, the spatial distribution and inflicted areas of sugarcane cold damage over Guangxi in the early of 2008 are monitored and evaluated and the result is consistent with that of field investigation. The monitoring result shows that the cold damage of sugarcane fields in northern Guangxi (Huanjiang county, Luzhai county, Liucheng county and Yizhou city) and central Guangxi (Xingbin district, Xiangzhou county and Wuxuan county) is more serious than that of sugarcane fields in southeast, littoral and Youjiang valley of Guangxi. In 62132 hm² area of Guangxi sugarcane planting area the damage is rather severe, and in 364716 hm² area the damage is light to moderate in extent (some areas are excluded due to cloud cover). In Xingbin sugarcane planting areas, the damaged areas are 4989 hm², 44679 hm², respectively. Cold damage area estimation error is no more than 5 percent. So, results indicate that this method can meet the requirements of operation to monitor and evaluate the spatial distribution and disastrous areas of sugarcane cold damage inflicted fields