Researchers from the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed the first-ever 10-meter resolution maps of harvested winter wheat in China's major winter wheat-producing regions from 2018 to 2022. They found that about 13% of planted winter wheat was lost before harvest due to meteorological factors. The study was published in Scientific Data on September 27th.

Winter wheat constitutes 95% of China's total wheat production, playing a vital role in the country's food security. Previous estimates, which relied solely on the area planted, often overstated production figures by not considering crop losses. This study distinguishes between planted and harvested areas using high-resolution satellite data, with an accuracy rate of over 95%.

By utilizing satellite remote sensing technology such as Sentinel-2's high spatial-resolution imagery, the researchers have generated pixel-level maps of harvested areas. This approach not only improves accuracy but also allows for the large-scale monitoring of crop conditions over time.

Moreover, the researchers identified natural disasters, such as severe dry-hot winds and waterlogging, as the main reasons for the 13% reduction in harvested areas. This analysis was conducted by combining climate data. They emphasized the importance of adapting agriculture to climate change by enhancing crop resilience and improving farming practices.

"We now have a reliable tool to predict wheat losses due to meteorological conditions like dry-hot winds and waterlogging, allowing for better planning and response strategies," said Dr. HU Jinkang from AIR, first author of the study.

"This study represents a significant advance in agricultural monitoring. By accurately mapping harvest areas, we can provide a more realistic view of wheat production in China," said Prof. PENG Dailiang from AIR, a corresponding author of the study.

For China and other wheat-producing countries, this study could help improve food security and be better prepared for future agricultural challenges.