Scientists have released a map that reveals which tree crops have been affected by cyclone Debbie to help with response and recovery efforts.
The map reveals that macadamia, avocado and mango orchards were impacted in the area the cyclone hit land.
Those behind the technology says it offers a glimpse into the future of Australian crop mapping capability.
The map (pictured) was produced using a range of satellite and aerial imagery, and was informed by on-ground data collected by industry using a purpose-built app.
Rachel McKenzie from Queensland’s peak horticulture representative body, Growcom, said the cyclone impact map has proven invaluable and she looked forward to more resources to come.
“Gaining access to the tree cropping map layer has enabled Growcom to accurately measure the extent of damage done post Cyclone Debbie and has played a key role in quickly validating and quantifying what would normally take weeks.
“The map layer will be a valuable tool in future extreme weather events and will help Growcom make a faster response for better support of our industry,” she said.
Industry bodies AUSVEG and Growcom say growers hit by Cyclone Debbie need the full support of Australians to get back on their feet as they face huge recovery costs in the wake of the storm.
“Growing operations in the regions hit by this storm are facing a massive clean-up bill, and we’re asking Australians to support our growers as they recover from this period of extreme hardship,” said AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside.
Growcom, the industry body representing Queensland production horticulture, said it is collating evidence from growers to prepare damage estimates and ensure that the appropriate level of government support is directed to the region.
“The affected areas include prime growing regions, and we know that some of our growers are facing huge losses – both from the immediate destruction of crops and infrastructure and from the long-term impacts of soil erosion and other environmental damage,” said Growcom CEO Pat Hannan.
“Growcom will continue to advocate for disaster relief, but to do so, we need access to solid data and information provided by grower damage assessments.
“We’re asking all industry members to send us any estimates or information they have on damage they’ve suffered as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie, including photographs or videos.
“This evidence will help us advocate for growers to access any available grants, loans or other relief funds that can help our industry get back on its feet in the wake of this devastating storm.”
Australian Mangoes chief executive Robert Gray said this new mapping capability provided a direct benefit to growers.
“From an industry viewpoint, having the resources developed through the remote sensing project to quickly and accurately identify all of the orchards in the Bowen/ Proserpine region has meant we are in a much better position to respond appropriately”.
It shows three buffers (50km, 100km and 200km) to infer impact zones and the buffering ceases inland from the coast where Debbie was downgraded to a low-pressure system.
The web map has the capability of switching between different base maps (eg imagery, terrain or streets) and has a search function to find an address or place of interest.
The web map will work in any browser on any smart device and shows Cyclone Debbie's track, points and predicted path, sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology.
The map was provided to the QLD Government State Disaster Coordination Centre and industry representative bodies to assess the damage and loss of these crops.
“The hours of mapping that’s been generated through this ambitious four-year project is already showing its worth – and this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Horticulture Innovation Australia chief executive John Lloyd said.
“The mapping is not only priceless in instances such as Cyclone Debbie, it’s critical for biosecurity response and planning activities,” he said.
The map was supplied by the Queensland Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, working with the University of Queensland, and it offers a snapshot of work being delivered as part of a broader national avocado, mango and macadamia crop mapping project, due for completion in 2018.
The wider mapping project is supported by Horticulture Innovation Australia, through funds from the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Rural R&D for Profit program, and its coordinated by the University of New England.
Lloyd said scientists are continuing to log data being captured through a combination of robots working autonomously up and down rows in key growing regions, the use of drones, near infrared spectroscopy guns and satellite imagery.
“Most importantly, citizen science is also driving this national mapping initiative. We are encouraging growers to ‘Get the app and improve the map’ to help strengthen the data for the benefit of Australia’s mango, macadamia and avocado industries with the potential to expand the research to include other horticultural sectors in the future.”
