Home: TRD: Resource utilisation: AGRI-OUTLOOK: NDVI FOR June 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.
20 – 30 June 2009
NDVI values are increasing over the winter rainfall area.
21-30 June compared compared to 21-30 June 2008
NDVI values are higher over the interior than during June 2008. This is the result of more rain over the interior during early winter 2009 than in 2008.
21 – 28 June 2008 compared with the long-term mean
Except over the far southern parts of the province, vegetation activity during June was higher than the long-term average.
Percentage of Average Seasonal Greenness (PASG): April - June 2009 compared with the long-term mean
Percentage of Average Seasonal Greenness (PASG) for this period was normal to above normal except over the far southern areas where drought conditions existed during the latter part of summer.
