NASA and Agriculture

A warming climate will create challenges for agricultural workers. This visualization shows the increased number of days per year that are expected to have a NOAA Heat Index greater than 103 degrees Fahrenheit based on two different climate scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). The visualization also plots the number of days exceeding this threshold for five select locations in the United States. The map projection in Robinson and the color map is cividis. || AgWorkerClimateGraph_4k.00899_print.jpg (1024x576) [152.0 KB] || AgWorkerClimateGraph_4k.00899_searchweb.png (180x320) [57.1 KB] || AgWorkerClimateGraph_4k.00899_thm.png (80x40) [5.8 KB] || AgWorkerClimateGraph_HD.mp4 (1920x1080) [13.8 MB] || AgWorkerClimateGraph_HD.webm (1920x1080) [3.4 MB] || AgWorkerClimateGraph_4k.mp4 (3840x2160) [37.3 MB] || AgWorkerClimateGraph_HD.mp4.hwshow [189 bytes] ||

Modeled Iowa corn (yellow) and soybean (green) yields from 2001-2020. || IowaCrops_2022-02-17_1606.01240_print.jpg (1024x576) [479.4 KB] || IowaCrops_2022-02-17_1606.01240_searchweb.png (320x180) [124.0 KB] || IowaCrops_2022-02-17_1606.01240_web.png (320x180) [124.0 KB] || IowaCrops_2022-02-17_1606.01240_thm.png (80x40) [7.7 KB] || IowaCrops_2022-02-17_1606_1080p30.webm (1920x1080) [12.7 MB] || IowaCrops_2022-02-17_1606_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [267.3 MB] || main (3840x2160) [0 Item(s)] || IowaCrops_2022-02-17_1606.mp4 (3840x2160) [491.4 MB] || IowaCrops_2022-02-17_1606_1080p30.mp4.hwshow [199 bytes] ||

Data visualization of predicted wheat and maize yields through the end of this centaury based on an ensemble of crop and climate models. || AgMapMaize.00900_print.jpg (1024x576) [125.5 KB] || AgMapMaize.00900_searchweb.png (180x320) [54.2 KB] || AgMapMaize.00900_thm.png (80x40) [5.7 KB] || AgMapMaize.mp4 (3840x2160) [48.0 MB] || maize (3840x2160) [0 Item(s)] || AgMapMaize.webm (3840x2160) [5.7 MB] ||

Data visualization of predicted maize yields through the end of this centaury based on an ensemble of crop and climate models. || MaizeMapFuture.01000_print.jpg (1024x576) [134.0 KB] || MaizeMapFuture.01000_searchweb.png (320x180) [55.5 KB] || MaizeMapFuture.01000_web.png (320x180) [55.5 KB] || MaizeMapFuture.01000_thm.png (80x40) [5.5 KB] || MaizeMapFuture_1080p.mp4 (1920x1080) [34.9 MB] || MaizeMapFuture_1080p.webm (1920x1080) [3.8 MB] || MaizeMapFuture.mp4 (3840x2160) [78.9 MB] ||

Data visualization of predicted Wheat yields through the end of this centaury based on an ensemble of crop and climate models. || WheatMapFuture.01000_print.jpg (1024x576) [123.1 KB] || WheatMapFuture.01000_searchweb.png (320x180) [54.6 KB] || WheatMapFuture.01000_web.png (320x180) [54.6 KB] || WheatMapFuture.01000_thm.png (80x40) [5.4 KB] || WheatMapFuture_1080p.mp4 (1920x1080) [21.7 MB] || WheatMapFuture.mp4 (3840x2160) [79.7 MB] || WheatMapFuture.webm (3840x2160) [6.4 MB] ||

This visualization shows the NDVI anomaly from the year 2000 to 2021 in areas where maize, rice, soybeans, spring wheat or winter wheat are grown. Green colors indicate more than average vegetatation while orange colors indicate less productive areas.Coming soon to our YouTube channel. || NDVI_anomaly_2000-2021.11770.png (1920x1080) [897.2 KB] || NDVI_anomaly_2000-2021.11770_print.jpg (1024x576) [79.6 KB] || NDVI_anomaly_2000-2021.11770_searchweb.png (320x180) [39.8 KB] || NDVI_anomaly_2000-2021.11770_thm.png (80x40) [4.5 KB] || 1920x1080_16x9_30p (1920x1080) [0 Item(s)] || NDVI_anomaly_2000-2021_1080p30.webm (1920x1080) [60.4 MB] || NDVI_anomaly_2000-2021_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [146.7 MB] || 3840x2160_16x9_30p (3840x2160) [0 Item(s)] || captions_silent.31356.en_US.srt [43 bytes] || NDVI_Anomaly_2000_2021_4k_2160p30.mp4 (3840x2160) [608.3 MB] || NDVI_anomaly_2000-2021_1080p30.mp4.hwshow [196 bytes] ||

This visualization shows the NDVI anomaly in areas where maize, rice, soybeans, spring wheat or winter wheat are grown over the United States, Australia, Russia, Europe and southern Africa during certain years. Green colors indicate more than average vegetatation while orange colors indicate less productive areas.Coming soon to our YouTube channel. || NDVI_anomaly_regions.1020_print.jpg (1024x576) [140.2 KB] || NDVI_anomaly_regions.1020_searchweb.png (320x180) [72.6 KB] || NDVI_anomaly_regions.1020_thm.png (80x40) [5.9 KB] || 1920x1080_16x9_30p (1920x1080) [0 Item(s)] || NDVI_anomaly_regions_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [110.9 MB] || captions_silent.31363.en_US.srt [43 bytes] || NDVI_anomaly_regions_1080p30.mp4.hwshow [194 bytes] ||

A time series of global irrigation and groundwater depletion maps reveals geographical patterns in the use of fresh water for agriculture.The amount of water involved is enormous. Worldwide, the irrigation of farmland accounts for about 70% of the fresh water diverted by human activity. We might each drink only a few liters (quarts) of water per day, but the food we eat can require a thousand times as much water to produce. Some of the underground aquifers tapped for irrigation replenish so slowly that they are considered a non-renewable resource. The overuse of this groundwater could have long-term consequences for food security and the stability of global markets in food, cotton, and other agricultural products.A new study by researchers at University College London and NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies in New York City combines trade data and a global water usage model to determine which crops are grown with non-renewable groundwater and where those crops are consumed. The study appears in the March 30, 2017 issue of Nature. ||

NASA has the world’s largest Earth observing fleet and has an uninterrupted record and observed evidence of climate change. Increased greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Trapped atmospheric greenhouse gases warm the planet – our land, ocean, and atmosphere. Most of the global warming goes into the ocean, delaying the full impact of global warming. Ocean currents move the heat around the globe, impacting your local weather and climate. Warmer oceans accelerate melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. Rising seas are a major consequence of climate change, impacting coastal communities, infrastructure, and economy. Warmer climate amplifies Earth’s water cycle. Dry areas are getting drier and wet areas are getting wetter. Wet areas are experiencing more flooding and extreme storms, such as typhoons and hurricanes. Drought prone areas will see less rainfall, effecting agriculture. NASA data are used for projections that can help inform actions for the future. More extreme conditions are occurring due to climate change, such as wildfires. NASA data and knowledge are open and free, enabling informed decision-making. NASA information aids preparation and recovery from natural hazards around the world

Average global crop yields for maize, or corn, may see a decrease of 24% by late century, with the declines becoming apparent by 2030, with high greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new NASA study. Wheat, in contrast, may see an uptick in crop yields by about 17%. The change in yields is due to the projected increases in temperature, shifts in rainfall patterns and elevated surface carbon dioxide concentrations due to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, making it more difficult to grow maize in the tropics and expanding wheat’s growing range. ||

Snack Time with NASA digs into the science behind what’s on your plate from a tasty cheese board, to seafood, to fresh produce, to chips and dip.Food can bring us a sense of home, and it connects people all around the world. With observations from space and aircraft, combined with high-end computer modeling, NASA scientists work together with partner agencies, organizations, farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and decision makers to understand the relationship between the Earth system and the environments that provide us food. ||

Music: Building Ideas [Instrumental] by Todd James Carlin BakerComplete transcript available. || GLAM_thumbnail.png (1280x720) [796.0 KB] || GLAM_thumbnail_print.jpg (1024x576) [133.6 KB] || GLAM_thumbnail_searchweb.png (320x180) [57.4 KB] || GLAM_thumbnail_thm.png (80x40) [5.1 KB] || GLAM_FINAL.mov (1280x720) [887.4 MB] || GLAM_FINAL.mp4 (1280x720) [122.3 MB] || GLAM_FINAL.webm (1280x720) [13.1 MB] || GLAM_Captions.en_US.srt [2.3 KB] || GLAM_Captions.en_US.vtt [2.3 KB] ||

Agriculture in Pakistan is dependent on irrigation from the Indus River, but over the years, these freshwater resources have become scarce. Today, it is one of the world’s most depleted basins. To tackle this, farmers are attempting to predict and track freshwater resources with the help of NASA satellites and cell phones. ||

Landsat satellites have been gathering data for 48 years, equipping scientists and farmers to answer big questions about how to improve agriculture around the world. From tracking crop production, assessing crop health, and monitoring water use, Landsat data provides tangible benefits to the USA and the world. Landsat satellites are built and lauched by NASA, and operated by USGS. Complete transcript available.Music: "Lines of Enquiry" by Theo Golding [PRS], published by Atmosphere Music [PRS]Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel. || LandsatAg-Thumbnail.png (1920x1080) [4.0 MB] || LandsatAg-Thumbnail_print.jpg (1024x576) [166.3 KB] || LandsatAg-Thumbnail_searchweb.png (320x180) [109.3 KB] || LandsatAg-Thumbnail_thm.png (80x40) [6.6 KB] || LandsatAg-FINAL.mov (1920x1080) [3.2 GB] || LandsatAg-FINAL_youtube_1080.mp4 (1920x1080) [148.1 MB] || LandsatAg-FINAL_facebook_720.mp4 (1280x720) [110.9 MB] || LandsatAg-FINAL_twitter_720.mp4 (1280x720) [20.1 MB] || LandsatAg-FINAL.webm (960x540) [39.3 MB] || LandsatAg-FINAL-captions.en_US.srt [1.8 KB] || LandsatAg-FINAL-captions.en_US.vtt [1.8 KB] ||

Complete transcript available.Wathc this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel. || Modeling_freshwater_updated_Final.00010_print.jpg (1024x576) [153.0 KB] || Modeling_freshwater_updated_Final.00010_searchweb.png (320x180) [114.2 KB] || Modeling_freshwater_updated_Final.00010_web.png (320x180) [114.2 KB] || Modeling_freshwater_updated_Final.00010_thm.png (80x40) [7.6 KB] || Modeling_freshwater_updated_Final.mov (1920x1280) [7.9 GB] || Modeling_freshwater_updated_Final.mp4 (1920x1080) [371.0 MB] || Modeling_freshwater_updated_Final.webm (1920x1280) [45.5 MB] || Modeling_freshwater_updated_Final.en_US.srt [4.6 KB] || Modeling_freshwater_updated_Final.en_US.vtt [4.6 KB] ||

The U.S. Department of Agriculture tracks how many acres and the annual yield for every crop produced. One method used to estimate crop acreage and yield is remote-sensing data from the NASA-USGS Landsat satellite program. The program started in 1997,with North Dakota, and by 2008 covered the entire lower 48 states and the District of Columbia. Music: "Downloading Landscapes" by Andrew Michael Britton [PRS] and David Stephen Goldsmith [PRS]. Published by Atmosphere Music Ltd [PRS].Complete transcript available.Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel. || 13417_Landsat_Croplands_print.jpg (1920x1080) [940.0 KB] || 13417_Landsat_Croplands_print_searchweb.png (180x320) [52.1 KB] || 13417_Landsat_Croplands_print_thm.png (80x40) [4.6 KB] || 13417_Landsat_Croplands.webm (1920x1080) [19.7 MB] || 13417_Landsat_Croplands.mp4 (1920x1080) [292.2 MB] || 13417_Landsat_Croplands-captions.en_US.srt [3.0 KB] || 13417_Landsat_Croplands-captions.en_US.vtt [3.0 KB] || 13417_Landsat_Croplands.mov (1920x1080) [4.8 GB] || 13417_Landsat_Croplands.mp4.hwshow [423 bytes] ||