Analysis of MODIS NDVI Time Series to Calculate Indicators of Mediterranean Forest Fire Susceptibility

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess fire susceptibility of Mediterranean vegetation by analyzing a time series of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra images from 2000 to 2006. Synthetic indicators of vegetation status were defined based on analysis of annual variations of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and an understanding of phenological cycles. Spring and annual greenness indicators were calculated by combining NDVI values measured at different key phenological stages. The various fire susceptibility indicators were used to characterize fluctuations of vegetation activity related to changes in photosynthetic activity and fuel dryness. Susceptibility indicators were also mapped, and statistical relationships with meteorological conditions were identified.

Wildfire Potential Mapping over the State of Mississippi: A Land Surface Modeling Approach

“…Due to the hazardous nature of wildfire, regional assessments and regular mapping of fire probability based on these factors is an important practical task (Chou et al, 1993, p. 129). A number of these factors or even one particular factor can be converted into a fire potential index that quantifies wildfire likelihood over a given region, (e.g., Choi et al, 2009;Chéret and Denux, 2011). Because forest wildfires occur more frequently during severe droughts associated with negative anomalies of atmospheric precipitation, the soil moisture content is a good fire potential indicator.…”

Landuse and NDVI change analysis of Sperchios river basin (Greece) with different spatial resolution sensor data by Landsat/MSS/TM and OLI

“…(2016) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] www.deswater.com doi: 10.1080/19443994.2016.1188734 detection [6][7][8][9][10]. Among many vegetation indices normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) has been most regularly used for vegetation monitoring in various studies [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

“…Among many vegetation indices normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) has been most regularly used for vegetation monitoring in various studies [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Furthermore, variety in the superficial vegetation influence the equilibrium of local ecosystems, research on the vegetation heterogeneity is the substructure of the ecological conservation [19,20].…”

Satellite observations for describing fire patterns and climate-related fire drivers in the Brazilian savannas

“…This negative trend in monthly precipitation was also found by Marcuzzo et al (2012), who identified a decrease in precipitation in the mid-western Cerrado for all months except March. According to Coelho et al (2016), the 2002-2015 period is part of a greater period of reduction of precipitation in central and southeast Brazil and has been referenced as a drying period in largescale studies. Opposed to the other variables, monthly average VCI tends to slightly increase in the Cerrado (increase of 1.21 % in relation to the monthly average VCI considering the entire 168 months analysed), despite the negative trend in precipitation.…”