Vegetation Dynamics of NW Mexico using MODIS time series data

Northwestern Mexico is an area subjected to a combination of marine and continental climatic influences which produce a highly variable vegetation dynamics throughout time. Using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation indices data (NDVI and EVI) from 2001 to 2008, mean and standard deviation image values of the time series were calculated. Using this data, annual vegetation dynamics was characterized based on the different values for the different vegetation types. Annual mean values were compared and inter annual variations or anomalies were analyzed calculating departures of de mean. An anomaly was considered if the value was over or under two standard deviations. Using this procedure it was possible determine spatio-temporal patterns over the study area and relate them to climatic conditions.