Cropland productivity evaluation based on earth observation and direct measurements, a 100m resolution country assessment

A methodology of quantitative assessment of soil biomass productivity with 100 m spatial resolution on a country coverage is presented. The traditional land evaluation approach - where crop yield is the dependent variable - was followed using measured yield and net primary productivity data derived from satellite images, together with digital soil and climate maps. Further to characterization of soil biomass productivity based on measured data, the weight of soil properties in productivity was also quantified, thus providing an information basis to design sustainable land management practices. To produce these results, we used the Random Forest method for our calculations. The study considers high-input agriculture, which is predominant in the country.  Biomass productivity indices for major crops (wheat, maize and sunflower) as well as general productivity indices were computed for the whole agricultural area of Hungary. The assessment can be repeated for monitoring purposes to support general monitoring goals as well as for reporting in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Nevertheless, based on the findings we also propose a method that enables the periodical update of the evaluation, that can also be used as monitoring biomass productivity in the context of climate change, land degradation and the advancement of cultivation technology.