Vegetational response of rainfall in Rajasthan using AVHRR imagery

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the suitability of NOAA-AVHRR imagery for monitoring vegetal cover. Of course, climate is recognized as the most important control on natural vegetation. However, spatial and seasonal changes in land cover are dependent on several factors including the crop species, soil hydrology, grazing conditions, harvest timing and above all on the frequency and amount of rainfall. The analysis is based on six maximum value composite (MVC) NDVI images with a spatial resolution of approximately 5.5 km. An attempt has also been made to examine the serial relationship between the NDVI and the rainfall occurrences at different stations. ‘Thar Desert’ is clearly visible in the images of summer months. A transitional zone is situated between the arid and semi-arid areas along the western fringe of the Aravalli Range. The elimination of time lag in vegetational response of rainfall indicates expected positive relationship between vegetal cover and rainfall.     

1983—1992年中国陆地植被NDVI演变特征的变化矢量分析

以NDVI时序资料为基本数据源，综合应用变化矢量分析和主成分分析方法对1983年至1992年中国陆地植被NDVI的变化强度、变化类型及空间结构变化特征进行了分析。研究结果表明在此期间中国陆地植被NDVI变化有以下特点：（1）十年间NDVI变化东西分异明显，东部变化幅度远大于西部。NDVI变化整体表现为稳中略增，增加区主要分布在台湾、福建、四川、河南等地；减少区主要分布在云南省和新疆北部等地。（2）空间结构信息表现了景观异质性，其变化主要发生在南方，反映了植被的生长和衰老过程及地形（山脉走向）变化。     

NDVI时间变换一致性的贵州茂兰植被覆盖变化分析

利用近18年贵州茂兰自然保护区的Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI数据，针对云覆盖对影像质量的影响，提出并使用了一种基于NDVI时间变换一致性的方法，构建出较为完整的研究区植被指数时间序列，实现了小区域尺度下长时间序列的植被覆盖变化研究，并采用一元线性回归模型和相关分析法探讨研究区植被覆盖变化趋势及其对气象因子的响应关系。得出结论：NDVI时间变换一致性处理方法可以有效地消除云覆盖的影响；研究区近18年植被覆盖状况良好且正呈缓慢上升趋势，气候因子与植被覆盖变化呈显著正相关关系，其中平均温度的影响在当月最强，而降水量和平均相对湿度的影响则存在滞后性。     

利用MERIS数据植被指数分析福建省植被长势季节变化

监测植被长势动态变化可以提供生态系统状况有价值的信息,可以检测到人类或气候作用引起的变化。本研究利用2004—2005年间10期MERIS影像数据,以福建省为例,探讨MERIS数据在区域植被长势季节变化监测中的应用效果;分析了MERIS数据用于区域植被季节变化监测时的数据处理方法;比较了MERIS数据几种植被指数,提出了利用10和8波段组合改进MERISNDVI的建议;利用多时相合成的NDVI简单分析了2004年夏季—2005年夏季三个季节的植被长势状况。结果表明,MERIS植被指数的时空变化有效反映了气候变化对植被长势的影响。     

Normalised difference spectral indices and urban land cover as indicators of land surface temperature (LST)

Land cover changes associated with urbanisation modify microclimate, leading to urban heat islands, whereby cities are warmer than the surrounding countryside. Understanding the factors causing this phenomenon could help urban areas adapt to climate change and improve living conditions of inhabitants. In this study, land surface temperatures (LST) of Aarhus, a city in the high latitudes, are estimated from the reflectance of a thermal band (TIRS1; Band 10; 10.60–11.19 μm) of Landsat 8 on five dates in the summer months (one in 2015, and four in 2018). Spectral indices, modelled on the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), using all combinations of the first seven bands of Landsat 8 are calculated and their relationships with LST, analysed. Land cover characteristics, in terms of the percentages of tree cover, building cover and overall vegetation cover are estimated from airborne LiDAR data, building footprints and 4-band aerial imagery, respectively. The correlations between LST, the spectral indices and land cover are estimated.The difference in mean temperature between the rural and urban parts of Aarhus is up to 3.96 °C, while the difference between the warmer and colder zones (based on the mean and SD of LST) is up to 13.26 °C. The spectral index using the near infrared band (NIR; Band 5; 0.85-0.88 μm) and a short-wave infrared band (SWIR2; Band 7; 2.11–2.29 μm) has the strongest correlations (r: 0.62 to 0.89) with LST for the whole study area. This index is the inverse of normalised burn ratio (NBR), which has been used for mapping burnt areas. Spectral indices using different combinations of the infrared bands have stronger correlations with LST than the more widely used vegetation indices such as NDVI. The percentage of tree cover has a higher negative correlation (Pearson’s r: -0.68 to -0.75) with LST than overall vegetation cover (r: -0.45 to -0.63). Tree cover and building cover (r: 0.53 to 0.71) together explain up to 68 % of the variation in LST. Modification of tree and building cover may therefore have the potential to regulate urban LST.     

基于TM影像的城市建筑用地信息提取方法研究

本文选用金华市Landsat TM影像为研究的数据源,在归一化裸露指数基础上,利用归一化植被指数提取出非植被信息,通过图像二值化、叠加分析以及掩膜处理去除了低密度植被覆盖区域的噪音信息,自动提取了金华城市建筑用地信息。研究结果表明,归一化裸露指数和归一化植被指数相结合的方法弥补了单一利用归一化裸露指数来提取城市建筑用地信息的不足,提高了提取精度,而且结果客观可信,是一种不经人为干预的、快速有效的提取城市建筑用地方法。     

东亚土地覆盖对ENSO事件的响应特征

对1982—1993年气候年际变化的强信号——ENSO进行了确认及再分类。以美国地质调查局EROS中心提供的AVHRR 8km NDVI为数据源，应用地理信息系统技术，计算了1982—1993年每年夏季(5—9月)NDVI平均影像。在此基础上用数据断面分析法对ENSO年东亚地区土地覆盖的空间分布进行了分析，再用主成分分析法对同一时间序列NDVI平均影像进行了运算，发现其第7主成分影像所反映的土地覆盖分布与数据断面分析法所反映的结果是一致的。对此，进一步分析了第7主成分的特征向量与代表ENSO变化特征的南方涛动指数(SOI)之间的关系，进而，对ENSO驱动下的东亚地区土地覆盖年际变化的空间分布特征进行了总结。     

Analysis of China vegetation dynamics using NOAA-AVHRR data from 1982 to 2001

The authors derived the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the NOAA/AVHRR Land dataset, at a spatial resolution of 8km and 15-day intervals, to investigate the vegetation variations in China during the period from 1982 to 2001. Then, GIS is used to examine the relationship between precipitation and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in China, and the value of NDVI is taken as a tool for drought monitoring. The results showed that in the study period, China’s vegetation cover had tended to increase, compared to the early 1980s; mean annual NDVI increased 3.8%. The agricultural regions (Henan, Hebei, Anhui and Shandong) and the west of China are marked by an increase, while the eastern coastal regions are marked by a decrease. The correlation between monthly NDVI and monthly precipitation/temperature in the period 1982 to 2001 is significantly positive (R2=0.80, R2=0.84); indicating the close coupling between climate conditions (precipitation and temperature) and land surface response patterns over China. Examination of NDVI time series reveals two periods: (1) 1982–1989, marked by low values below average NDVI and persistence of drought with a signature large-scale drought during the 1982 and 1989; and (2) 1990–2001, marked by a wetter trend with region-wide high values above average NDVI and a maximum level occurring in 1994 and 1998.     

东亚土地覆盖对ENSO事件的响应特征

对1982—1993年气候年际变化的强信号——ENSO进行了确认及再分类。以美国地质调查局EROS中心提供的AVHRR 8km NDVI为数据源，应用地理信息系统技术，计算了1982—1993年每年夏季(5—9月)NDVI平均影像。在此基础上用数据断面分析法对ENSO年东亚地区土地覆盖的空间分布进行了分析，再用主成分分析法对同一时间序列NDVI平均影像进行了运算，发现其第7主成分影像所反映的土地覆盖分布与数据断面分析法所反映的结果是一致的。对此，进一步分析了第7主成分的特征向量与代表ENSO变化特征的南方     

Abrupt spatiotemporal land and water changes and their potential drivers in Poyang Lake, 2000–2012

Driven by various natural and anthropogenic factors, Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, has experienced significant land use/cover changes in the past few decades. The aim of this study is to investigate the spatial–temporal patterns of abrupt changes and detect their potential drivers in Poyang Lake, using time-series Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 16-day maximum value composite vegetation indices between 2000 and 2012. The breaks for additive seasonal and trend (BFAST) method was applied to the smoothed time-series normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), to detect the timing and magnitude of abrupt changes in the trend component. Large part of Poyang Lake (98.9% for trend component) has experienced abrupt changes in the past 13 years, and the change patterns, including the distributions in timing and magnitudes of major abrupt trend changes between water bodies and land areas were clearly differentiated. Most water bodies had abrupt increasing NDVI changes between 2010 and 2011, caused by the sequential severe flooding and drought in the two years. In contrast, large parts of the surrounding land areas had abrupt decreasing NDVI changes. Large decreasing changes occurred around 2003 at the city of Nanchang, which were driven by urbanization. These results revealed spatial–temporal land cover changing patterns and potential drivers in the wetland ecosystem of Poyang Lake.     

Environmental evaluation of MODIS-derived land units

A land stratification of the French territory had been previously performed based on time series of vegetation and texture indices. This stratification led to 300 radiometrically homogenous regions that were considered as land units (LUs). In this paper, we present a quantitative analysis of the LUs, with the aim of testing if these LUs are linked to landscape. In this sense, an evaluation of their thematic meaning in terms of environmental variables and land cover was performed. In order to achieve this, we first conducted a statistical analysis at national scale using a set of environmental variables and land cover by means of Moran’s autocorrelation index and Spearman rank correlation index. Second, to analyze the quality of the boundaries between neighboring LUs, we developed a method based on the Spearman rank correlation index calculated on test areas across the boundaries. The first analyses showed that the most explanatory variables of the LUs were land cover, topography and parent material. The boundaries analysis was applied at a regional scale (Pyrenean region), and showed that 89% of the boundaries were well explained by the land cover compositions. The results obtained support the hypothesis that time series of broad resolution remote-sensing images can capture landscape identities and produce LUs maps that have an environmental and land occupation sense.     

光谱指数趋势面的城市地表温度降尺度转换

针对城市及周边区域建造区和自然地表交织分布的特点,探讨了利用归一化植被指数(NDVI)和归一化建造指数(NDBI)构造趋势面的地表温度(LST)降尺度方法,以北京市市区及周边较平坦区域为例实现了LST自960 m向120 m的降尺度转换。分析了LST空间分布特征及NDVI、NDBI对地物的指示性特征;以北京市四至六环为界分析NDVI、NDBI趋势面对地表温度的拟合程度及各自的适用区域;在120 m、240 m、480 m和960 m 4个尺度上评价了NDVI、NDBI和NDVI+NDBI趋势面对LST的拟合程度和趋势面转换函数的尺度效应;对NDVI、NDBI和NDVI NDBI等3种方法的降尺度结果分覆盖类型、分区域对比评价。实验结果表明结合两种光谱指数的NDVI NDBI方法降尺度转换精度有所改善,改善程度取决于地表覆盖类型组合。     

Spatiotemporal analysis of vegetation index after typhoons in the mountainous watershed

An extensive land cover change was triggered by a series of typhoons, especially Typhoon Morakot in 2009 in Taiwan. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) series from multiple satellite images were applied to monitor the change processes of land cover. This study applied spatiotemporal analysis tools, including empirical orthogonal functions (EOF), and multiple variograms in analyzing space–time NDVI data, and detected the effects of large chronological disturbances in the characteristics of land cover changes. Spatiotemporal analysis delineated the temporal patterns and spatial variability of NDVI caused by these large typhoons. Results showed that mean of NDVI decreased but spatial variablity of NDVI increased after typhoons in the study area. The EOF can clarify the major component of NDVI variations and identify the core area of the NDVI changes. Various approaches showed consistent results that Typhoon Morakot significantly lowered the NDVI in land cover change process. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal analysis is an effective monitoring tool, which advocates the use of the index for the quantification of land cover change and resilience.     

Effects of vegetation cover on summer climate in China during 1982–2001

In this paper, we apply lagged correlation analysis to study the effects of vegetation cover on the summer climate in different zones of China, using NOAA/AVHRR normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data during the time period from 1982 to 2001 and climate data of 365 meteorological stations across China (precipitation from 1982 to 2001 and temperature from 1982 to 1998). The results show that there are positive correlations between spring NDVI and summer climate (temperature and precipitation) in most zones of China; these suggest that, when the vegetation cover increases, the summer precipitation will increase, and the lagged correlations show a significant difference between zones. The stronger correlations between NDVI in previous season and summer climate occur in three zones (Mid-temperate zone, Warm-temperate zone and Plateau climate zone), and this implies that vegetation changes have more sensitive feedback effects on climate in the three zones in China.     

Reclamation areas and their development studied by vegetation indices

Abstract

Large areas in the Czech Republic were used for open casts of brown coal mining. Many of them have been already closed. Reclamation of them and of their dumps is the next step intheir development. It is possible to divide used reclamations into the forest, hydrologic, agricultural and other ones – roads, etc. Their age varies from 45 years to as yet unfinished. Reclaimed areas are documented in reclamation projects. Information about age and land use determined groups of these areas to be evaluated by vegetation indices. 100 areas with forest type were evaluated. Eight vegetation indices (NDVI, DVI, RVI, PVI, SAVI, MSAVI, TSAVI and EVI) were calculated and their average value in each area in 1988, 1992 and 1998 Thematic Mapper data were compared. Changes over years showed close relation to precipitations of previous periods. This relation was confirmed by evaluation of forest areas situated near reclamation areas. Positive/negative changes of vegetation indices were different for different groups and different vegetation indices. An overview of results of vegetation indices is presented for individual areas whose land use comprised at least partly forest stand. Results in a 4-year period (1988–1992) were in many areas by many indices negative, changes in 10 years were in most areas by most vegetation indices positive. Changes, minimum values and maximum values in groups were compared. Evaluation of vegetation indices brought again various results. One vegetation index is not sufficient to prove improvement/deterioration of vegetation changes. Precipitation state before measurement should be controlled. Temporary shortage of precipitation can cause vegetation cover deterioration, which is also only temporary. The best development derived from vegetation indices evaluation was found at forest reclamation with mixed tree stand that was 10–20 years old. The method was derived as a tool for post-finishing control of vegetation development of reclamations performed in several year periods.     

基于地表生物物理参数的土地利用/覆盖遥感分类方法研究——以长沙市以例

土地利用/覆盖分类通常是利用地物的波谱反射特征进行监督或非监督分类,分类结果由于"同物异谱、异物同谱"现象的存在,往往分类精度不高。而植被指数和地表温度作为表征地表覆盖状况的生物物理参数,已成功用于宏观尺度的土地利用/覆盖分类,使得分类结果有所提高,而对于区域尺度的土地利用/覆盖分类却少见报道。本文充分利用TM数据的多光谱特征,从中提取了植被指数NDVI、地表温度Ts、温度植被角度TVA和温度植被距离TVD这四种分类特征进行监督分类,通过对7种组合方案(反射率波段组合、NDVI与反射率波段组合、Ts与反射率波段组合、NDVI与Ts和反射率波段组合、TVA与反射率波段组合、TVD与反射率波段组合、TVA与TVD和反射率波段组合)的分类结果进行比较,得出以下结论:①NDVI、Ts、NDVI和Ts、TVD作为分类特征参与到多波段地表反射率影像分类中,能够提高分类精度,而TVA、TVA和TVD的加入却没有改善分类结果;②总体分类精度受到训练样本与检验样本比例的影响。     

Study of normalized difference vegetation index variation and its correlation with climate factors in the three-river-source region

Using NOAA/AVHRR 10-day composite NDVI data and 10-day meteorological data, including air temperature, precipitation, vapor pressure, wind velocity and sunshine duration, at 19 weather stations in the three-river-source region in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau in China from 1982 to 2000, the variations of NDVI and climate factors were analyzed for the purpose of studying the correlation between climate change and vegetation growth as represented by NDVI in this region. Results showed that the NDVI values in this region gradually grew from the west to the east, and the distribution was consistent with that of moisture status. The growing season came earlier due to climate warming, yet because of the reduction of precipitation, maximal NDVI during 1982–2000 did not show a significant change. NDVI related positively to air temperature, vapor pressure and precipitation, but negatively related to sunshine duration and wind velocity. Furthermore, the response of NDVI to climate change showed time lags for different climate factors. Water condition and temperature were found to be the most important factors effecting the variation of NDVI during the growing season in both the semi-arid and the semi-humid areas. In addition, NDVI had a better correlation with vapor pressure than with precipitation. The ratio of precipitation to evapotranspiration, representing water gain and loss, can be regarded as a comprehensive index to analyze NDVI and climate change, especially in areas where the water condition plays a dominant role.     

Vegetation response to intensive commercial horticulture and environmental changes within watersheds in central highlands,Kenya, using AVHRR NDVI data

Expansion and heterogeneous clustering of commercial horticulture within the central highlands of Kenya after the mid-1990s impact watersheds and the sustainable resource management. This is distressing since climate conditions for world horticultural regions are projected to change, making such farming extremely difficult and costly to the environment. To understand the scope of impact on vegetation, the study evaluated (1) interannual variability in averaged normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI); (2) trends in average annual NDVI before and after 1990 – the presumed onset of rapid horticulture; and (3) relationship between the average annual NDVI and large-scale commercial farms, population density, and mean annual rainfall in subwatersheds. Time-series analysis of long-term Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies NDVI data were analyzed as indicator of vegetation condition. NDVI trends before 1990s (1982–1989) and after 1990s (1990–2006) were evaluated to determine the slope (sign), and the Spearman’s correlation coefficient (strength). Overall, results show considerable variations in vegetation condition due largely to mixed factors including intensive farming activities, drought, and rainfall variation. Statistical analysis shows significant differences in slopes before 1990 and after 1990 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.1 respectively). Negative (decline) trends were common after 1990, linked to increased commercial horticulture and related anthropogenic disturbances on land cover. There was decline in vegetation over densely populated subwatersheds, though low NDVI values in 1984 and 2000 were the effect of severe droughts. Understanding the linkage between vegetation responses to the effects of human-induced pressure at the subwatershed scale can help natural resource managers approach conservation measures more effectively.     

Remote sensing monitoring of land restoration interventions in semi-arid environments with a before–after control-impact statistical design

Restoration interventions to combat land degradation are carried out in arid and semi-arid areas to improve vegetation cover and land productivity. Evaluating the success of an intervention over time is challenging due to various constraints (e.g. difficult-to-access areas, lack of long-term records) and the lack of standardised and affordable methodologies. We propose a semi-automatic methodology that uses remote sensing data to provide a rapid, standardised and objective assessment of the biophysical impact, in terms of vegetation cover, of restoration interventions. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is used as a proxy for vegetation cover. Recognising that changes in vegetation cover are naturally due to environmental factors such as seasonality and inter-annual climate variability, conclusions about the success of the intervention cannot be drawn by focussing on the intervention area only. We therefore use a comparative method that analyses the temporal variations (before and after the intervention) of the NDVI of the intervention area with respect to multiple control sites that are automatically and randomly selected from a set of candidates that are similar to the intervention area. Similarity is defined in terms of class composition as derived from an ISODATA classification of the imagery before the intervention. The method provides an estimate of the magnitude and significance of the difference in greenness change between the intervention area and control areas. As a case study, the methodology is applied to 15 restoration interventions carried out in Senegal. The impact of the interventions is analysed using 250-m MODIS and 30-m Landsat data. Results show that a significant improvement in vegetation cover was detectable only in one third of the analysed interventions, which is consistent with independent qualitative assessments based on field observations and visual analysis of high resolution imagery. Rural development agencies may potentially use the proposed method for a first screening of restoration interventions.     

Assessing land cover change resulting from large surface mining development

A remote sensing based land cover change assessment methodology is presented and applied to a case study of the Oil Sands Mining Development in Athabasca, Alta., Canada. The primary impact was assessed using an information extraction method applied to two LANDSAT scenes. The analysis based on derived land cover maps shows a decrease of natural vegetation in the study area (715,094 ha) for 2001 approximately −8.64% relative to 1992. Secondary assessment based on a key resources indicator (KRI), calculated using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI measurements acquired by NOAA–AVHRR satellites), air temperature and global radiation was performed for a time period from 1990 to 2002. KRI trend analysis indicates a slightly decreasing trend in vegetation greenness in close proximity to the mining development. A good agreement between the time series of inter-annual variations in NDVI and air temperature is observed increasing the confidence of NDVI as an indicator for assessing vegetation productivity and its sensitivity to changes in local conditions.