VIIRS/NPP VNP13C1: Global Vegetation Indices at 0.05°

NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP VIIRS Vegetation Indices (VNP13C1) Version 2 provides three key vegetation indices—NDVI, EVI, and EVI2—derived from a 16-day best-pixel composite at a 0.05-degree resolution. The dataset includes 18 variables such as reflectance bands, standard deviations, and quality layers to support continuity with the MODIS mission. It is designed for monitoring global vegetation dynamics, plant phenology, and canopy cover.

Use Cases

• Tracking seasonal plant phenology and crop cycles using the 16-day NDVI and EVI time series.
• Assessing canopy cover sensitivity and chlorophyll content by comparing EVI and NDVI layers.
• Conducting global vegetation trend analysis supported by reflectance data in red, NIR, and SWIR bands.
• Evaluating data reliability for specific regions using the included pixel reliability and quality assurance layers.

Strengths

• Provides continuity with the long-running MODIS vegetation indices mission, supporting a multi-decade time series.
• Includes three distinct vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI, EVI2) and their standard deviations for analytical rigor.
• Offers global coverage at a consistent 0.05-degree spatial resolution.

Limitations

• Known missing coverage for specific tiles (h33v07, h18v14) over water due to missing critical inputs.
• Column names and exact row/size metadata are not provided across any platform, limiting precise technical assessment.
• Relies on inferred data structure from descriptions; specific file formats (BIN, PDF, etc.) suggest heterogeneous access.

Provenance

Source

NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), processed by LPCLOUD.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing via VIIRS sensor, with a pixel selection algorithm over 16-day periods.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 according to nasa_earthdata and datagov.

Geography

Global coverage at 0.05-degree resolution.