Precision maps have found wide applicability and are predominantly used in precision agriculture,
which relies on the visual communication of relevant, high-resolution, environmental
data, obtained through sensing systems to the end-user (Sishodia et al., 2020). Despite
being treated as a map, the precision map contemporarily exists outside of a theoretical
cartographic framework. This study aims at developing a cartographic understanding and
methodology for producing precision maps to support local, technology oriented farmers,
scientists, and authorities in plant disease management.
As an interdisciplinary domain, cartography bears a huge potential in meeting the increasing
demand for the decision-supporting visualisation of Geospatial Big Data (Coetzee et
al., 2020; Robinson et al., 2017) and thus may contribute to the development of more sustainable
agriculture. Particularly, plant pests endanger tree health and harvest, thus highlighting
farmers’ vulnerability to plant diseases and ultimately undermining Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), such as Zero Hunger, and food security (Savary et al., 2012). In
contrast to traditional plant disease management, plant health monitoring through hyperspectral
data enables stakeholders to detect plant stress outside the range of visible light,
and hence, at an early disease stage.
This experimental study is expected to encourage future application of cartographic generalisation
in agriculture and foster cartographic understanding in precision mapping using
multi- and hyperspectral data. In the course of the study, it is argued for the adoption of a
multi-scale mapping approach in order to visualise different spatial granularities at respective
levels of detail within a precision map. Using the case study of an orchard in South Tyrol
(Italy), this research focuses on developing a multi-scale precision map of Apple Proliferation
(AP), a phytoplasma-induced disease transmitted through insects. It is believed that
precision maps are a cartographic tool that can be part of an environmentally sustainable
disease and pest management programme with the potential to minimise yield losses and
foster food security.
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Precision maps have found wide applicability and are predominantly used in precision agriculture,
which relies on the visual communication of relevant, high-resolution, environmental
data, obtained through sensing systems to the end-user (Sishodia et al., 2020). Despite
being treated as a map, the precision map contemporarily exists outside of a theoretical
cartographic framework. This study aims at developing a cartographic understanding and
methodology for producing precision maps to supp...
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