VNP13A3: Monthly Global Vegetation Indices at 1km Resolution

Version 1 of this VIIRS/NPP vegetation index product was decommissioned on April 8, 2025. It provides monthly, global vegetation indices derived from a best-pixel compositing process at a 1-kilometer spatial resolution. The dataset includes three primary vegetation indices—Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Enhanced Vegetation Index-2 (EVI2)—alongside reflectance bands and quality assurance layers.

Use Cases

• Monitoring agricultural productivity based on NDVI and EVI time series.
• Studying vegetation phenology and canopy cover changes using the EVI and EVI2 indices.
• Assessing pixel-level data quality for analysis using the included pixel reliability layer.
• Analyzing surface reflectance characteristics using the red, blue, green, NIR, and SWIR reflectance bands.
• Comparing VIIRS vegetation indices with legacy MODIS products for continuity studies.

Strengths

• Provides three distinct vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI, EVI2) designed for continuity with the MODIS mission.
• Offers monthly composites at a consistent 1-kilometer spatial resolution.
• Includes ancillary data layers such as reflectance bands and quality flags.

Limitations

• The dataset is Version 1, which has been officially decommissioned; users are directed to use Version 2.
• Specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided in the available metadata.
• The license is ambiguously listed as 'other-license-specified' without further detail.

Provenance

Source

NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing, with indices generated via a best-pixel compositing algorithm.

Freshness

2026-04-09 21:11:30.400618

Geography

Global