Vegetation classification in the Middle Mediterranean area by satellite data

Abstract

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index time series derived from NOAA satellite data relevant to the years 1986–1989 have been used to evaluate their usefulness for vegetation mapping purposes. Given the remote sensing information about all the available dates in a period, it is possible to define areas of homogeneous time NDVI profile through unsupervised classification procedures. In the discrimination process it is assumed that dynamic features of the vegetation with an evolution period shorter than one month can be neglected. Three different approaches are used: an unsupervised classification on Principal Components and on 6 and 12 months data.

Maximum value composites of the NDVI profiles (in LAC format) in each area for each month of the four-year time frame have proved to be very useful to stress the various typologies of vegetation development and condition. The output vegetation map is characterized by regions of a similar vegetation composition and timing among the different dominant land covers present in the area observed and by areas with different photosynthetic potential and productivity.