Satellite-Based Innovative Agroclimatic Classification Under Reduced Water Availability: Identification of Optimal Productivity Zones

Ioannis Faraslis (), Nicolas R. Dalezios, Marios Spiliotopoulos, Georgios A. Tziatzios, Stavros Sakellariou, Nicholas Dercas, Konstantina Giannousa, Gilles Belaud, Kevin Daudin, Maria do Rosário Cameira, Paula Paredes and João Rolim
Additional contact information
Ioannis Faraslis: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
Nicolas R. Dalezios: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, Greece
Marios Spiliotopoulos: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, Greece
Georgios A. Tziatzios: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, Greece
Stavros Sakellariou: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
Nicholas Dercas: Department of Natural Resources Management and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece
Konstantina Giannousa: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, Greece
Gilles Belaud: UMR G-Eau, Montpellier SupAgro, University of Montpellier, 2 Place Pierre Viala, 34060 Montpellier, France
Kevin Daudin: UMR G-Eau, Montpellier SupAgro, University of Montpellier, 2 Place Pierre Viala, 34060 Montpellier, France
Maria do Rosário Cameira: LEAF—Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food—Research Center, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
Paula Paredes: LEAF—Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food—Research Center, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
João Rolim: LEAF—Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food—Research Center, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-31

Abstract: Climate and climate variability conditions determine crop suitability and the agricultural potential within a climatic region. Specifically, meteorological parameters, such as precipitation and temperature, are the primary factors determining which crops can successfully grow in a particular climatic region. The objective of agroclimatic classification and zoning is to identify optimal agricultural productivity zones based on efficient use of natural resources. This study aims to develop and present an agroclimatic classification and zoning methodology using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and advanced remote sensing data and techniques. The agroclimatic methodology is implemented in three steps: First, Water-limited Growth Environment (WLGE) zones are developed to assess water availability based on drought and aridity indices. Second, soil and land use features are evaluated alongside water adequacy to develop the non-crop specific agroclimatic zoning. Third, crop parameters are integrated with the non-crop specific agroclimatic zones to classify areas into specific crop suitability zones. The methodology is implemented in three study regions: Évora-Portalegre in Portugal, Crau in France, and Thessaly in Greece. The study reveals that inadequate rainfall in semi-arid regions constrains the viability of irrigated crops. Nonetheless, the findings show promising potential compared to existing cropping patterns in all regions. Moreover, the use of high-resolution spatial and temporal remotely sensed data via web platforms enables up-to-date and field-level agroclimatic zoning.

Keywords: agroclimatic classification; hydroclimatic zoning; non-crop-specific agroclimatic zones; optimal productivity zones (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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