Scholarly record

NDVI VALUES IN DETERMINATION OF MEADOWS BIOMASS FOR QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION AND CARTOGRAPHY

Mihai Simon

Abstract

The necessity and opportunity of research by fast and efficient remote sensing methods and means derives from the fact that pratological investigation involves a great deal of time and resources, repeated missions on the ground and the involvement of a larger number of specialists. With the advanced technique (remote sensing methods and means), the main purpose of this study is to monitor grassland in the analyzed area and quantify the chlorophyll concentration of plants on the basis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Following this assessment, the grasslands from the study area were classified into different categories according to NDVI values, as a result of which they were mapped. For the proposed analysis Landsat 8 satellite images with 30 m spatial resolution were purchased in August, during which the vegetation of grasslands differs from other crops. The area of interest, located in the north-eastern part of Arad county, Romania, overlaps with a hilly relief and in a region with predominantly rural character, so the main occupation of the inhabitants is subsistence agriculture. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to thoroughly investigate the pratology environment in order to identify areas with high potential in contrast to those at risk, thus avoiding the accentuation of under-exploitation and/or overexploitation events. NDVI values vary depending on the plant phenological stages and the specific characteristics of each grassland. Following the analysis, the grasslands in the study area can be classified into four functional categories.

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