Hawai‘i Unveils First Crop Maps to Strengthen Food Security and Disaster Response

Ten key theses in English

Джерело: phys.org

1. First-of-its-kind maps – The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, in collaboration with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, has released the Hawai‘i Cropland Data Layer (HCDL), the state’s first high-resolution, crop-specific maps.
2. Public access – The maps are available online through USDA’s CroplandCROS and AgriWatch geospatial portals, ensuring open access for researchers, land managers, and policymakers.
3. Filling a data gap – Prior to HCDL, Hawai‘i was a “map desert,” lacking annual agricultural maps that are standard across the U.S., which limited the ability to track crops and assess land use.
4. Lessons from Maui wildfires – The 2023 wildfires highlighted the absence of up-to-date crop maps, which delayed assessments of agricultural losses and slowed disaster response and recovery.
5. Current coverage – Maps are now available for 2023 and 2024, with the 2025 dataset expected in early 2026, establishing an ongoing system of agricultural monitoring.
6. Unique farming landscape – Hawai‘i’s small, fragmented farms with diverse crops differ from U.S. mainland monocultures, making high-resolution maps especially valuable for understanding land use and planning.
7. Applications for resilience – HCDL can guide resource allocation, irrigation planning, pest control, and invasive species management, enhancing agricultural sustainability.
8. Disaster management tool – Maps can be integrated with real-time weather, drought, and wildfire data, enabling faster response and economic impact estimates during emergencies.
9. Proactive planning – Beyond crises, HCDL can identify cropland most vulnerable to drought or pests, helping agencies deliver timely assistance and safeguard long-term food security.
10. Collaborative effort – The project brought together experts from UH Mānoa, USDA, Colorado State University, and NOAA, showcasing a multi-institutional approach to agricultural innovation.