A Methodology for Estimating Frost Intensity and Damage in Orange Groves Using Meteosat Data: A Case Study in the Valencian Community
Citrus cultivation represents one of the major economic pillars of the Valencian Community (Spain). Frost events pose a significant threat to these plantations, resulting in substantial economic losses. This study aims to assess the frequency and intensity of frost occurrences in the region from 200...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/4/578 |
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| Summary: | Citrus cultivation represents one of the major economic pillars of the Valencian Community (Spain). Frost events pose a significant threat to these plantations, resulting in substantial economic losses. This study aims to assess the frequency and intensity of frost occurrences in the region from 2004 to 2023, using Meteosat Second Generation satellite imagery. These images provide daily land surface temperature data at 15 min intervals. Frost days were defined as those when temperatures fell below −2.3 °C, the threshold at which orange fruits become susceptible to damage, with different temperature thresholds applied to estimate varying levels of crop damage. Frost duration was also analyzed to classify event intensity and its potential impact on citrus crops. Annual comparisons revealed a decline in both the severity and frequency of frosts, particularly in cases of “moderate” and “intense” damage, supporting forecasts of increased regional aridity and suggesting new opportunities for expanding citrus cultivation to higher altitudes. When compared with farmers’ records, this study’s methodology proves effective in assessing frost impact and offers potential use for winter crop insurance. Validation was conducted using in situ data from the Spanish National Meteorological Agency (AEMET). |
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| ISSN: | 2072-4292 |