The NDVI is an index that provides a standardized method of comparing vegetation greenness between satellite images. The formula to calculate NDVI is:

NDVI = (near IR band - red band) / (near IR band + red band)

Index values can range from -1.0 to 1.0, but vegetation values typically range between 0.1 and 0.7. Higher index values are associated with higher levels of healthy vegetation cover, whereas clouds and snow will cause index values near zero, making it appear that the vegetation is less green.

Bands from the following satellite sensors can be used to calculate NDVI:

• Landsat MSS -- bands 5 (0.6-0.7 µm) and 6 (0.7-0.8 µm) or 7 (0.8-1.1 µm); bands 2, 3, and 4, respectively, for Landsat 4 and Landsat 5
• Landsat TM -- bands 3 (0.63-0.69 µm) and 4 (0.76-0.90 µm)
• Landsat ETM -- bands 3 (0.63-0.69 µm) and 4 (0.75-0.90 µm)
• NOAA AVHRR -- bands 1 (0.58-0.68 µm) and 2 (0.72-1.0 µm)
• Terra MODIS -- bands 1 (0.62-0.67), 2 (0.841-0.876)

NDVI can be used as an indicator of relative biomass and greenness (Boone et al. 2000, Chen 1998). If sufficient ground data is available, the NDVI can be used to calculate and predict primary production, dominant species, and grazing impact and stocking rates (Ricotta et al. 1999, Oesterheld et al. 1998, Paruelo et al. 1997, Peters et al. 1997, Diallo et al. 1991). It is also highly correlated with climatic variables, such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) (Li and Kafatos 2000, Boone et al. 2000) and precipitation (Schmidt and Karnieli 2000).

See the EO Library for more details.

Sources:

Avery, T.E. and G.L. Berlin. 1992. Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Airphoto Interpretation. 5^th ed. Upper Saddle River, Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Boone, R. B., K. A. Galvin, et al. 2000. Generalizing El Nino effects upon Maasai livestock using hierarchical clusters of vegetation patterns. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing 66(6): 737-744.

Chen, D. and W. Brutsaert. 1998. Satellite-sensed distribution and spatial patterns of vegetation parameters over a tallgrass prairie. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 55(7): 1225-1238.

Diallo, O., A. Diouf, et al. 1991. AVHRR monitoring of savanna primary production in Senegal, West Africa: 1987-1988. International Journal of Remote Sensing 12(6): 1259-1279.

Li, Z. and M. Kafatos. 2000. Interannual variability of vegetation in the United States and its relation to El Nino/Southern Oscillation. Remote Sensing of Environment 71(3): 239-247.

Oesterheld, M., C. M. DiBella, et al. 1998. Relation between NOAA-AVHRR satellite data and stocking rate of rangelands. Ecological Applications 8(1): 207-212.

Paruelo, J. M., H. E. Epstein, et al. 1997. ANPP estimates from NDVI for the Central Grassland Region of the United States. Ecology 78(3): 953-958.

Peters, A. J., M. D. Eve, et al. 1997. Analysis of desert plant community growth patterns with high temporal resolution satellite spectra. Journal of Applied Ecology 34: 418-432.

Ricotta, C., G. Avena, et al. 1999. Mapping and monitoring net primary productivity with AVHRR NDVI time-series: statistical equivalence of cumulative vegetation indices. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 54(5): 325-331.

Schmidt, H. and A. Karnieli. 2000. Remote sensing of the seasonal variability of vegetation in a semi-arid environment. Journal of Arid Environments 45(1): 43-60.