Soil Salinity Mapping Using Machine Learning Algorithms with the Sentinel-2 MSI in Arid Areas, China

Accurate monitoring of soil salinization plays a key role in the ecological security and sustainable agricultural development of arid regions. As a branch of artificial intelligence, machine learning acquires new knowledge through self-learning and continuously improves its own performance. The purp...

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Main Authors: Jiaqiang Wang, Jie Peng, Hongyi Li, Caiyun Yin, Weiyang Liu, Tianwei Wang, Huaping Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/2/305
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author Jiaqiang Wang
Jie Peng
Hongyi Li
Caiyun Yin
Weiyang Liu
Tianwei Wang
Huaping Zhang
author_facet Jiaqiang Wang
Jie Peng
Hongyi Li
Caiyun Yin
Weiyang Liu
Tianwei Wang
Huaping Zhang
author_sort Jiaqiang Wang
collection DOAJ
description Accurate monitoring of soil salinization plays a key role in the ecological security and sustainable agricultural development of arid regions. As a branch of artificial intelligence, machine learning acquires new knowledge through self-learning and continuously improves its own performance. The purpose of this study is to combine Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imager (MSI) data and MSI-derived covariates with measured soil salinity data and to apply three machine learning algorithms in modeling to estimate and map the soil salinity in the study sample area. According to the convenient transportation conditions, the study area and sampling quadrat were set up, and the 5-point method was used to collect the soil mixed samples, and 160 soil mixed samples were collected. Kennard–Stone (K–S) algorithm was used for sample classification, 70% for modeling and 30% for verification. The machine learning algorithm uses Support Vector Machines (SVM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Random Forest (RF). The results showed that (1) the average reflectance of each band of the MSI data ranged from 0.21–0.28. According to the spectral characteristics corresponding to different soil electrical conductivity (EC) levels (1.07–79.6 dS m<sup>−1</sup>), the spectral reflectance of salinized soil in the MSI data ranged from 0.09–0.35. (2) The correlation coefficient between the MSI data and MSI-derived covariates and soil EC was moderate, and the correlation between certain MSI data sets and soil EC was not significant. (3) The SVM soil EC estimation model established with the MSI data set attained a higher performance and accuracy (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.88, root mean square error (RMSE) = 4.89 dS m<sup>−1</sup>, and ratio of the performance to the interquartile range (RPIQ) = 1.96, standard error of the laboratory measurements to the standard error of the predictions (SEL/SEP) = 1.11) than those attained with the soil EC estimation models established with the RF and ANN models. (4) We applied the SVM soil EC estimation model to map the soil salinity in the study area, which showed that the farmland with higher altitudes discharged a large amount of salt to the surroundings due to long-term irrigation, and the secondary salinization of the farmland also caused a large amount of salt accumulation. This research provides a scientific basis for the simulation of soil salinization scenarios in arid areas in the future.
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spelling doaj.art-613876cdda3f4afda0e441203c3e637c2023-12-03T13:32:52ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922021-01-0113230510.3390/rs13020305Soil Salinity Mapping Using Machine Learning Algorithms with the Sentinel-2 MSI in Arid Areas, ChinaJiaqiang Wang0Jie Peng1Hongyi Li2Caiyun Yin3Weiyang Liu4Tianwei Wang5Huaping Zhang6College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, ChinaSchool of Tourism and Urban Management, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang 330032, ChinaSchool of Tourism and Urban Management, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang 330032, ChinaAgricultural Technology Extension Station of the First Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar 843300, ChinaCollege of Plant Science, Tarim University, Alar 843300, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, ChinaAgricultural Technology Extension Station of the First Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Alar 843300, ChinaAccurate monitoring of soil salinization plays a key role in the ecological security and sustainable agricultural development of arid regions. As a branch of artificial intelligence, machine learning acquires new knowledge through self-learning and continuously improves its own performance. The purpose of this study is to combine Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imager (MSI) data and MSI-derived covariates with measured soil salinity data and to apply three machine learning algorithms in modeling to estimate and map the soil salinity in the study sample area. According to the convenient transportation conditions, the study area and sampling quadrat were set up, and the 5-point method was used to collect the soil mixed samples, and 160 soil mixed samples were collected. Kennard–Stone (K–S) algorithm was used for sample classification, 70% for modeling and 30% for verification. The machine learning algorithm uses Support Vector Machines (SVM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Random Forest (RF). The results showed that (1) the average reflectance of each band of the MSI data ranged from 0.21–0.28. According to the spectral characteristics corresponding to different soil electrical conductivity (EC) levels (1.07–79.6 dS m<sup>−1</sup>), the spectral reflectance of salinized soil in the MSI data ranged from 0.09–0.35. (2) The correlation coefficient between the MSI data and MSI-derived covariates and soil EC was moderate, and the correlation between certain MSI data sets and soil EC was not significant. (3) The SVM soil EC estimation model established with the MSI data set attained a higher performance and accuracy (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.88, root mean square error (RMSE) = 4.89 dS m<sup>−1</sup>, and ratio of the performance to the interquartile range (RPIQ) = 1.96, standard error of the laboratory measurements to the standard error of the predictions (SEL/SEP) = 1.11) than those attained with the soil EC estimation models established with the RF and ANN models. (4) We applied the SVM soil EC estimation model to map the soil salinity in the study area, which showed that the farmland with higher altitudes discharged a large amount of salt to the surroundings due to long-term irrigation, and the secondary salinization of the farmland also caused a large amount of salt accumulation. This research provides a scientific basis for the simulation of soil salinization scenarios in arid areas in the future.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/2/305soil salinizationSentinel-2 MSIremote sensingmachine learningarid area
spellingShingle Jiaqiang Wang
Jie Peng
Hongyi Li
Caiyun Yin
Weiyang Liu
Tianwei Wang
Huaping Zhang
Soil Salinity Mapping Using Machine Learning Algorithms with the Sentinel-2 MSI in Arid Areas, China
Remote Sensing
soil salinization
Sentinel-2 MSI
remote sensing
machine learning
arid area
title Soil Salinity Mapping Using Machine Learning Algorithms with the Sentinel-2 MSI in Arid Areas, China
title_full Soil Salinity Mapping Using Machine Learning Algorithms with the Sentinel-2 MSI in Arid Areas, China
title_fullStr Soil Salinity Mapping Using Machine Learning Algorithms with the Sentinel-2 MSI in Arid Areas, China
title_full_unstemmed Soil Salinity Mapping Using Machine Learning Algorithms with the Sentinel-2 MSI in Arid Areas, China
title_short Soil Salinity Mapping Using Machine Learning Algorithms with the Sentinel-2 MSI in Arid Areas, China
title_sort soil salinity mapping using machine learning algorithms with the sentinel 2 msi in arid areas china
topic soil salinization
Sentinel-2 MSI
remote sensing
machine learning
arid area
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/2/305
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