The application of satellite remote sensing for soil studies in upland areas of Southern Italy

Spectral data can supply useful information on soil spatial variability even when the soil surface is partially masked by vegetation. This paper reports the first results of research aiming to assess the possibilities and limits of satellite remote sensing data for studying soils in the Apennine Mountains of Southern Italy. This region is characterized by the presence of large areas of bare soils during certain times of the year, but also by the dissected terrain which strongly influences the spectral response of soils. The results presented show the potential of satellite remotely-sensed data to broadly predict certain soil parameters, such as organic matter (OM) and calcium carbonate content (CACAR), from radiance values. However, the results of a sub-scene spectral classification, illustrate a greater potential for satellite data to provide useful reconnaisance soil mapping information, which can be tested by limited ground checks