Wireless Sensor Networks for Smart Farming: Data Collection, Monitoring, and Control

Dear Colleagues,

Smart farming plays a pivotal role in mitigating the environmental impact of agriculture, aligning with the goals of initiatives such as the Green Deal. While traditional methods of farming have often been associated with resource inefficiency, excessive use of chemicals and environmental degradation, smart farming, in contrast, employs advanced technologies such as precision agriculture, IoT (Internet of Things) and data analytics to optimize various aspects of the farming process. By leveraging real-time weather pattern, soil condition and crop health data, farmers can make informed decisions, reducing the need for excessive pesticide and fertilizer application. This not only improves resource efficiency, but also minimizes the environmental footprint of agriculture. Additionally, smart farming contributes to sustainable practices by promoting water conservation, minimizing waste and enhancing overall productivity.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have emerged as key enablers of this transformation, offering the capability to realize real-time data collection, monitoring and control capabilities across vast agricultural landscapes. This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in WSN-based technologies for smart farming, focusing on data collection, monitoring and control applications.

The topics of interest encompassing the scope of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to:

• Novel sensor technologies for the precise and/or cost-effective monitoring of soil, plants, animals and the environment;
• Network design for efficient data acquisition;
• Sensor fusion approaches;
• Robust platforms for real-time data processing and storage;
• Interactive dashboards for visualizing key metrics and facilitating remote monitoring;
• AI-powered algorithms for the early detection of threats (e.g., pests and diseases);
• Closed-loop systems for precise irrigation and nutrient management based on sensor data;
• Integration of WSNs with robots and drones for automated tasks;
• Adaptive control algorithms for adapting farming practices in real time to changing conditions.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles, review papers and case studies that demonstrate the practical implementation and impact of WSNs in smart farming. We encourage interdisciplinary collaborations between researchers, engineers and agricultural scientists to advance the field and contribute to sustainable and efficient food production.

Dr. Pedro Gonçalves
Dr. Paulo Pedreiras
Guest Editors

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• smart farming
• sensor technologies
• wireless sensor networks
• AI-powered solutions