A feedback based modification of the NDVI to minimize canopy background and atmospheric noise

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) equation has a simple, open loop structure (no feedback), which renders it susceptible to large sources of error and uncertainty over variable atmospheric and canopy background conditions. In this study, a systems analysis approach is used to examine noise sources in existing vegetation indices (VIs) and to develop a stable, modified NDVI (MNDVI) equation. The MNDVI, a closed-loop version of the NDVI, was constructed by adding 1) a soil and atmospheric noise feedback loop, and 2) an atmospheric noise compensation forward loop. The coefficients developed for the MNDVI are physically-based and are empirically related to the expected range of atmospheric and background “boundary” conditions. The MNDVI can be used with data uncorrected for atmosphere, as well as with Rayleigh corrected and atmospherically corrected data. In the field observational and simulated data sets tested, the MNDVI was found to considerably reduce noise for any complex soil and atmospheric situation. The resulting uncertainty, expressed as vegetation equivalent noise, was ±0.11 leaf area index (LAI) units, which was 7 times less than encountered with the NDVI (±0.8 LAI). These results indicate that the MNDVI may be satisfactory in meeting the need for accurate, long term vegetation measurements for the Earth Observing System (EOS) program