These groups emerged after an analysis of available sta 
tistic data in the zone. On an average they account 99$ of the 
coverage of the three areas and supply therefore very reliable 
data. Maps of soil use, scale 1:50,000 were produced for each 
of the areas . 
After using the group classification given above an 
inventory of the specified crops was drawn up in order to test 
the method adopted and the results obtained: the test was a 
comparison with the data in the hands of the Regional Authori 
ties; the results are given in the conclusions. At the moment 
the Landsat data is being analyzed by checking the results 
obtained using an automatic interpretation procedure on the 
computer. 
Methodology used 
The methodology is based on the use of scenes supplied by 
the Landsat satellites 1 and 2 integrated with black and white 
aerial photographs taken at about 2,000 metres. 
The optimum employment of Landsat data in identifying single 
categories is conditioned by the fact that the signatures of the 
various agricultural species are approximately equal if monito 
red at the same stage of development ((A)) and ((B)), whereas 
the signature of single agricultural species varies widely 
during growth so it can be distinguished from the others over 
a period of time. 
If one is to distinguish between the species accurately 
one must establish the periods when growth stages of each species 
differ from one another. The phenological progression of the 
crops under examination must therefore be known ((C)). 
    
     
   
    
   
    
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
   
    
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