8 research outputs found
Uncertainty Challenge in Geospatial Analysis: An Approximation from the Land Use Cover Change Modelling Perspective
All data and geospatial analyses come with uncertainty. Although its importance has been widely recognized, uncertainty issues are still not correctly addressed in most of the current geospatial research. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the concepts, sources and tools to manage the uncertainty in geospatial analysis. To this end, we intend to increase the awareness about the importance of uncertainty for all geospatial data and analyses. Due to time and chapter length considerations, we address this topic from the Land Use Cover Change Modelling perspective.Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciĂłnDepto. de GeografĂaFac. de GeografĂa e HistoriaTRUEpu
Combining WV-2 images and tree physiological factors to detect damage stages of Populus gansuensis by Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) at the tree level
Weed control practices on Costa Rican coffee farms: Is herbicide use necessary for small-scale producers?
This paper presents research conducted during two coffee farming seasons in Costa Rica. The study examined coffee farmersâ weed management practices and is presented in the form of a case study of small-scale farmersâ use of labor and herbicides in weed management practices. Over 200 structured interviews were conducted with coffee farmers concerning their use of hired labor and family labor, weed management activities, support services, and expectations about the future of their coffee production. ANOVA and regression analyses describe the relationships between farm size, labor, and herbicide use, and three farm types (i.e., conventional, semi-conventional, and organic). Based on findings regarding the amount of labor used to manually control weeds on different types of farms (large farms, small conventional, semi-conventional, and organic farms) I am able to challenge small conventional farmersâ perceived need for herbicide use. Semi-structured interviews of coffee farmers and extension workers further revealed a dominant role played by agro-chemical companies in assisting farmers with production problems, and documented a high transaction cost for information provided from elsewhere. Chemical companies hire extension workers to visit farmers at their farms, free of charge, to offer recommendations on how to treat different pest problems, while government and cooperative extension agents charge for the service. There is a need to increase the amount of resources available to the National Coffee Institute to fund one-on-one farmer support services in order to balance the influence of agro-chemical company representatives and allow farmers to make better decisions regarding weed management