This talk explains how climate change can increase insect-driven defoliation by raising insect activity, survival, and range expansion. It argues that defoliation threatens forests, crops, and food security, and shows how remote sensing and machine learning can help detect outbreaks early, support monitoring, and guide policy and prevention efforts.

This study explored whether satellite remote sensing can estimate black truffle mycelium biomass. Optical vegetation indices showed limited results, while Sentinel-1 radar backscatter had significant correlations, especially in spring. Findings suggest radar data capture soil moisture dynamics linked to fungal activity, offering a promising tool for sustainable truffle orchard management.