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: Sergio Gimeno, Virginia Crisafulli, Álvaro Sobrino-Gómez, José Antonio Sobrino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/4/578
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author Sergio Gimeno
Virginia Crisafulli
Álvaro Sobrino-Gómez
José Antonio Sobrino
author_facet Sergio Gimeno
Virginia Crisafulli
Álvaro Sobrino-Gómez
José Antonio Sobrino
author_sort Sergio Gimeno
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj-art-86e437e3111a497bb7c5c2c0eae034f22025-08-20T02:44:43ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-02-0117457810.3390/rs17040578A Methodology for Estimating Frost Intensity and Damage in Orange Groves Using Meteosat Data: A Case Study in the Valencian CommunitySergio Gimeno0Virginia Crisafulli1Álvaro Sobrino-Gómez2José Antonio Sobrino3Global Change Unit, Image Processing Laboratory (IPL), University of Valencia, E-46980 Paterna, SpainGlobal Change Unit, Image Processing Laboratory (IPL), University of Valencia, E-46980 Paterna, SpainGlobal Change Unit, Image Processing Laboratory (IPL), University of Valencia, E-46980 Paterna, SpainGlobal Change Unit, Image Processing Laboratory (IPL), University of Valencia, E-46980 Paterna, SpainCitrus 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).https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/4/578citrus cropsremote sensingfrost damageValencian Community
spellingShingle Sergio Gimeno
Virginia Crisafulli
Álvaro Sobrino-Gómez
José Antonio Sobrino
A Methodology for Estimating Frost Intensity and Damage in Orange Groves Using Meteosat Data: A Case Study in the Valencian Community
Remote Sensing
citrus crops
remote sensing
frost damage
Valencian Community
title A Methodology for Estimating Frost Intensity and Damage in Orange Groves Using Meteosat Data: A Case Study in the Valencian Community
title_full A Methodology for Estimating Frost Intensity and Damage in Orange Groves Using Meteosat Data: A Case Study in the Valencian Community
title_fullStr A Methodology for Estimating Frost Intensity and Damage in Orange Groves Using Meteosat Data: A Case Study in the Valencian Community
title_full_unstemmed A Methodology for Estimating Frost Intensity and Damage in Orange Groves Using Meteosat Data: A Case Study in the Valencian Community
title_short A Methodology for Estimating Frost Intensity and Damage in Orange Groves Using Meteosat Data: A Case Study in the Valencian Community
title_sort methodology for estimating frost intensity and damage in orange groves using meteosat data a case study in the valencian community
topic citrus crops
remote sensing
frost damage
Valencian Community
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/4/578
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