Use of Normalized Difference Water Index for monitoring live fuel moisture

P.E. Dennison; S.H. Peterson; D.A. Roberts; Jenny L. Rechel

doi:10.1080/0143116042000273998

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Use of Normalized Difference Water Index for monitoring live fuel moisture

Formally Refereed

Authors:

P.E. Dennison, S.H. Peterson, D.A. Roberts, Jenny L. Rechel

Year:

2006

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/0143116042000273998

Source:

International Journal of Remote Sensing. 26 (5): 1035-1042

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Abstract

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) were compared for monitoring live fuel moisture in a shrubland ecosystem. Both indices were calculated from 500m spatial resolution Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) reflectance data covering a 33-month period from 2000 to 2002. Both NDVI and NDWI were positively correlated with live fuel moisture measured by the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD). NDVI had R² values ranging between 0.25 to 0.60, while NDWI had significantly higher R² values, varying between 0.39 and 0.80. Water absorption measures, such as NDWI, may prove more appropriate for monitoring live fuel moisture than measures of chlorophyll absorption such as NDVI.

Citation

Roberts, D.A.; Dennison, P.E.; Peterson, S.H.; Rechel, J. 2006. Use of Normalized Difference Water Index for monitoring live fuel moisture. International Journal of Remote Sensing. 26 (5): 1035-1042.