On the Use of Remote Sensing Vegetation Indices for Agricultural Zones' Delineation

Remote sensing vegetation indices are instrumental in agricultural zoning, offering critical insights into crop health, productivity, and environmental conditions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of various vegetation indices—NDVI, SAVI, and MSAVI—in demarcating agricultural zones at two agricultural sites in Northern Italy. Utilizing high-resolution multispectral imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellite, we conducted temporal and spatial analyses to track vegetation changes and assess the impact of agricultural practices. Our preliminary findings confirm that vegetation indices carry relevant information that can be used for supporting precision agriculture. However, the spatial patterns of the vegetation indices are not always consistent in time due to heterogeneity in plant growth and agricultural practices. This research highlights the critical role of remote sensing in precision agriculture and emphasizes the necessity of tailoring approaches based on specific agri-environmental conditions.