Study of the Relationship Between the Variability of Vegetation and Temperature Indexes of the Northeast Region of Brazil

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the interrelation between vegetation index variability (NDVI - Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, VCI - vegetation condition index) and temperature (TCI - Temperature Condition Index). on the Northeast of Brazil, using remote sensing data, NOAA-NESDIS database, obtained in the historical series from 1982 to 2011. Some inferences were made about the variation of these indices of vegetation and temperature, associated with climatic changes, in periods seasonal and in years of climatic contrasts under the influence of El Niños, La Niñas and Pacific Normal Conditions. The output data of the compilations of the Fortran routines were made available in graphs and generated by the GridS (Grid Analysis and Display System) software. The results showed a strong positive correlation between NDVI indices associated with IVC and TCI in the NEB semi-arid region. This result is due to the low percentages of precipitation that this region possesses, being thus more evident the strong relation with these indices of vegetation and temperature in the NEB semi-arid. As for other areas of the NEB region that have the highest precipitation index, the relationship between NDVI and precipitation was not as evident in this study.