Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) - Annual Mean - Switzerland

This dataset is an annual time-serie of Landsat Analysis Ready Data (ARD)-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) computed from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat 8 Opeational Land Imager (OLI). To ensure a consistent dataset, Landsat 7 has not been used because the Scan Line Correct (SLC) failure creates gaps into the data. NDVI quantifies vegetation by measuring the difference between near-infrared (which vegetation strongly reflects) and red light (which vegetation absorbs) using this generic formula: (NIR - R) / (NIR + R) For Landsat sensors, this corresponds to the following bands: Landsat 5, NDVI = (Band 4 – Band 3) / (Band 4 + Band 3). Landsat 8, NDVI = (Band 5 – Band 4) / (Band 5 + Band 4). NDVI values ranges from -1 to +1. NDVI is used to quantify vegetation greenness and is useful in understanding vegetation density and assessing changes in plant health. Standard Deviation is also provided for each time step. Data format: GeoTiff This dataset has been genereated with the Swiss Data Cube (http://www.swissdatacube.ch)