Scientists used the long record of
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data acquired by NOAA’s
polar-orbiting weather satellites to create a long-term Leaf Area Index (LAI)
dataset. The image at left shows LAI values from March 1991. An animation shows average monthly LAI from July 1981 to June
1991. The Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments
aboard the Terra and Aqua satellites will extend this
dataset with more accurate LAI
measurements. (Data provided by Boston University Climate and
Vegetation Research Group. Image and animation by Robert
Simmon)
large animation (640 by 480 pixels,
30 frames per second, 14.4 MB Quicktime)
A New Way to View Vegetation |