Vegetation Greenness

Vegetation Greenness charts show monthly values for the percentage of a given area that is covered by dense green vegetation.

They are based on satellite measurements of the distinct wavelengths of visible and near-infrared sunlight that are absorbed and reflected by plants. By examining the reflectance at different wavelengths it is possible to detect the presence of green vegetation and therefore variations in greenness from month to month.

An assumption is first made about what constitutes dense green vegetation in terms of pixel values in the satellite data. The actual pixel values are then expressed as a percentage of this maximum value. The process is applied to blocks of data each covering about 163 sq kms (63 sq miles).

The charts were prepared from average monthly data for the whole world supplied by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the period April 1985 to March 1991.

Desert and semi-desert areas are classified as 'little or no vegetation', and areas that are always green are classified as 'evergreen vegetation'. Where the ground is mostly snow-covered in any particular month the area is classified as such. There are also some areas that are permanently snow-covered.

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