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NDVI: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index

The Normalized Difference Vegetation index (NDVI) is a simple graphical indicator that can be used to analyze remote sensing measurements, typically, but not necessarily, from a space platform, and assess whether the target being observed contains live green vegetation or not. Specifically:

  • An NDVI value of zero means no vegetation
  • Values near zero mean no green leaves
  • Values close to one (0.8-0.9) indicate the highest possible density of green leaves.
ndvi_1.ncl: Read the MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) included in the MYD13C1 product.

Global MODIS vegetation indices are designed to provide consistent spatial and temporal comparisons of vegetation conditions. Blue, red, and near-infrared reflectances, centered at 470-nanometers, 648-nanometers, and 848-nanometers, respectively, are used to determine the MODIS daily vegetation indices.

The MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) complements NOAA's Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) NDVI products and provides continuity for historical applications.

ndvi_2.ncl: Read a (not particularly well written) netCDF file containing the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index-3rd generation (NDVI3g) using the Global Inventory Monitoring and Modeling System (GIMMS). Vegetation indices are radiometric measures of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by chlorophyll in the green leaves of vegetation canopies and are therefore good surrogate measures of the physiologically functioning surface greenness level of a region.

Also, plot a land-sea mask derived from the file and plot of 'flags.'

The NDVI3g are a consistent, long-term record of remotely sensed vegetation observations allows characterization the health of vegetation in different regions.

ndvi_3.ncl: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values are derived from surface reflectance data acquired by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensor. By applying knowledge gathered over time about instrument performance and sensor characteristics, the data are reprocessed to create consistent long-term records, allowing insight into changes in the Earth's environmental parameters. Specifically, the NDVI data provide the global change and resource management communities with vegetation data for historical trend analysis and vegetation monitoring studies for land surfaces around the