HAGL

Impact of hail events on agriculture: A remote sensing-based analysis of hail damage in the context of climate change

In HAGL, we analyse the effects of hail damage on agriculture. In the context of climate change and the associated increased risk of extreme weather events to society and the economy, this project deals with a locally catastrophic natural hazard that causes high costs: hail. Hail, combined with severe storms, causes millions of Euro of damage to agriculture every year. The influence of climate change on local weather patterns (e.g. thunderstorms) is still relatively unexplored, but early evidence points to an increase in weather patterns causing hail and an increase in hailstone sizes. In Austria, especially southeastern Styria with its various crops is frequently affected by extreme hail events. Through a spatial hotspot analysis, we identify regions in southeastern Styria that are particularly affected to test and validate a remote sensing-based method for damage detection. Yield losses due to hail damage can be existence-threatening for farmers, which is why effective damage assessment is of great interest. Through the combined analysis of optical and radar satellite data (Sentinel-1/2) with object-based image analysis (OBIA) methods, we aim to determine the changes caused by hail based on different vegetation indices and radar signals. Finally, we want to create a spatial damage categorisation, which should support the insurance work in the event of a disaster and make it more efficient. The results can serve as a basis for recommendations for adaptation measures to reduce future hail damage.

Publications:

1. Streifeneder, V., Hölbling, D., Dabiri, Z., 2023. Impact of hail events on agriculture: A remote sensing-based analysis of hail damage in the context of climate change. EGU General Assembly 2023, Vienna, Austria, 24–28 April, EGU23-2551,  https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-2551
2. Streifeneder, V., Hölbling, D., Dabiri, Z., 2023. Auswirkungen von Hagelereignissen auf die Landwirtschaft: Eine fernerkundungsbasierte Analyse von Hagelschäden im Kontext des Klimawandels (HAGL). 23. Österreichischer Klimatag, Leoben, Austria, 11-13 April.

Project facts:

Duration: 10/2022 – 07/2023

Funding: StartClim2022