Home: TRD: Resource utilisation: AGRI-OUTLOOK: NDVI FOR March 2008
Two approaches are used i.e. NDVI (plant activity) and PASG (accumulated seasonal greenness). It is expected that above normal rains of the current season should result in above normal conditions for plant activity. In general, all three images indicate at least similar to above normal plant activity or greenness, compared to last year and the long term. Interestingly, more plant activity was recorded in the east, which was ascribable to the nature of plants being more summer rainfall oriented. The western side of the province obviously had less plant activity or greenness due to the remarkably less acreage of actively growing or developing crops this time of the year. The green spots could probably be matched with eg. vineyards, orchards, potatoes (Sandveld), summer crops under irrigation, ect.
The current drought experienced in the mid Central Karoo is clearly pointed out in all three images. The fact remains that the drought is certainly abnormal, thus emphasising the appropriate aid to those producers in the affected area.
Other below normal situations (red) can also be seen, although being much smaller areas and isolated. These will be verified and if necessary carefully monitored and during the following months.
21 – 28 March 2009 compared with 21 – 28 March 2008
The NDVI over the province is lower than during March 2008, especially over the southeastern parts
21 – 28 March 2008 compared with the long-term mean
Compared to the long-term average, the NDVI values for the western parts of the Western Cape were mostly above normal while it was below normal over the southeastern parts where drier than average conditions have influenced vegetation activity negatively.
Percentage of Average Seasonal Greenness (PASG)
January - March 2009 compared with the long-term mean
Percentage of Average Seasonal Greenness (PASG) for this period remains above normal over the western parts and normal to below normal in the east.
