A long-term monthly assessment of land surface temperature and normalized difference vegetation index using Landsat data

Abstract

The present study assesses the monthly variation of land surface temperature (LST) and the relationship between LST and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in Raipur City of India using one hundred and eighteen Landsat images from 1988 to 2019. The results show that a monthly variation is observed in the mean LST. The highest mean LST is found in April (38.79oC), followed by May (36.64oC), June (34.56oC), and March (32.11oC).The lowest mean LST is observed in January (23.01oC), followed by December (23.76oC), and November (25.83oC). A moderate range of mean LST is noticed in September (27.18oC), October (27.22oC), and February (27.88oC). Pearson's linear correlation method is used to correlate LST with NDVI. The LST-NDVI correlation is strong negative in October (-0.62), September (-0.55), and April (-0.51). The moderate negative correlation is developed in March (-0.40), May (-0.44), June (-0.47), and November (-0.39). A weak negative correlation is observed in December (-0.21), January (-0.24), and February (-0.29). The change in weather elements and variation in land surface characteristics contribute to the monthly fluctuation of mean LST and LST-NDVI correlation. The study will be an effective one for the town and country planners for their future estimation of land conversion.