Remote sensing as a data source to analyse regional implications of genetically modified plants in agriculture—Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in Northern Germany

Remote sensing permits the identification of locations and area extent where particular crops are cultivated across larger regions. This requires the availability of crop- and region-specific algorithms. We developed an approach to identify oilseed rape fields in Northern Germany. The remote sensing data sources and main processing steps are described. The derived cultivation density information provides an overview of the fine-scale spatial structure and crop neighbourhood relations in Northern Germany as one of the main oilseed rape cultivation regions in Europe. Geographical Information System (GIS) analyses involving buffer operations allowed to identify those parts of the region, where the highest interaction potential of GM crops and conventional crops would occur if GM varieties were admitted for cultivation. Cultivation density and field sizes in combination were used to indicate the interaction intensity as a marker for observation requirement (environmental monitoring) and for those potential risks that relate to density parameter. Conclusions can be drawn for the feasibility of coexistence measures when neighbouring farmers have to co-operate to keep separation distances between GM crop cultivation and conventional varieties. Together with other data sources, the results of satellite image analysis can be used as input data for up-scaling small-scale model results. Remote sensing data allow to specify, which field density parameter must be chosen to cover the regional variability of cultivation conditions, in particular the regional distribution of field sizes and field density.