VIIRS/JPSS1: Monthly Global Vegetation Indices at 1km Resolution

NOAA-20 VIIRS Vegetation Indices (VJ113A3) Version 2 data product provides monthly, global land observations at 1 kilometer resolution. The product, designed by LPCLOUD to continue the MODIS mission, includes three primary vegetation indices: NDVI, EVI, and EVI2, along with reflectance and quality assurance layers. It is processed by selecting the best available pixel over each monthly period.

Use Cases

• Monitoring long-term vegetation trends and phenology based on the NDVI time series mentioned in the description
• Analyzing canopy cover and structure sensitivity using the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) layer
• Comparing vegetation indices across sensor platforms using the EVI2 reformulation designed for VIIRS
• Assessing data quality and reliability for specific pixels using the included pixel reliability and quality layers
• Studying surface reflectance properties using the provided red, blue, green, NIR, and SWIR reflectance bands

Strengths

• Provides three established vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI, EVI2) for continuity and comparison
• Includes multiple supporting data layers such as reflectance values and quality assurance information
• Processed at a consistent 1 kilometer spatial resolution for global coverage
• Designed to promote continuity with the long-running MODIS Terra and Aqua Vegetation Indices product suite

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download
• Lacks coverage for specific tiles (h33v07 and h18v14) over water due to missing critical inputs
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download

Provenance

Source

LPCLOUD, derived from NOAA-20 VIIRS sensor data.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing, with pixels selected from the best available observations over a monthly period.

Time Range

Monthly time series, specific start date unknown.

Freshness

Monthly acquisition period.

Geography

Global land coverage at 1km resolution, excluding two specific tiles over water.