Satellite Remote Sensing Tools for Drought Assessment in Vineyards and Olive Orchards: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Vineyards and olive groves are two of the most important Mediterranean crops, not only for their economic value but also for their cultural and environmental significance, playing a crucial role in global agriculture. This systematic review, based on an adaptation of the 2020 PRISMA statement, focuses on the use of satellite remote sensing tools for the detection of drought in vineyards and olive groves. This methodology follows several key steps, such as defining the approach, selecting keywords and databases, and applying exclusion criteria. The bibliometric analysis revealed that the most frequently used terms included “Google Earth Engine” “remote sensing” “leaf area index” “Sentinel-2”, and “evapotranspiration”. The research included a total of 81 articles published. The temporal distribution shows an increase in scientific production starting in 2018, with a peak in 2021. Geographically, the United States, Italy, Spain, France, Tunisia, Chile, and Portugal lead research in this field. The studies were classified into four categories: aridity and drought monitoring (ADM), agricultural water management (AWM), land use management (LUM), and water stress (WST). Research trends were analysed in each category, highlighting the use of satellite platforms and sensors. Several case studies illustrate applications in vineyards and olive groves, especially in semi-arid regions, focusing on the estimation of evapotranspiration, crop coefficients, and water use efficiency. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the use of satellite remote sensing for drought assessment in grapevines and olive trees, identifying trends, methodological approaches, and opportunities for future research in this field.