NDVI: NORMALIZED DIFFERENCE VEGETATION INDEX

Indices are used extensively in mineral exploration and vegetation analyses to bring out small
differences between various rock types and vegetation classes. In many cases, judiciously chosen
indices can highlight and enhance differences which cannot be observed in the display of the
original color bands.

NDVI is used to quantify vegetation greenness and is useful in understanding vegetation density
and assessing changes in plant health. NDVI is calculated as a ratio between the red (R) and near
infrared (NIR) values in traditional fashion:

NDVI = (NIR –R) / (NIR+R)

This normalizes all values to range from -1 to 1. Once Band 4 reflectance becomes less than
band three, then the numerator becomes negative, thus giving us a negative number. We can then
CONFIDENTLY state that all values of zero or less cannot be green vegetation. Typically,
values of 0.5 or less are also not vegetation, or at least not healthy vegetation. Typically values of
0.75 and above do represent healthy vegetation.

Now to perform NDVI, download satellite images and stack it or used the already stacked image
of the previous lab.

1. Using Add Data tool, add the stacked image. Go to windows> Image Analysis. The Image
analysis window will open. Click on the Image Analysis Option. The Image Analysis Option
window will open. Select the Red and INR band.

LANDSAT BANDS
Landsat 4-7 NIR= Band R= Band 3
4
LANDSAT NIR= Band R= Band 4
5

Check off the box against Use Wavelength and check on against Scientific Output. Click on OK.
Now back to image analysis window, select the image layer you want to perform the NDVI on

and click on NDVI tab . It will run the NDVI process and create a temporary layer.

Task1:

Copy and paste the NDVI image you created.

Click the temporary NDVI layer>Data>Export Data. The Export Raster Data window will open.
Against Location, click the browser button and select the folder location. Against Name, assign a
proper name and select the format as TIFF. Click Save.

If prompted whether you want to add NDVI as layer click Yes. The NDVI will be added.
You can observe that lighter sheds of grey represents higher values which represents healthy
vegetation. Now if you want to see wanly healthy vegetation, right click on the NDVI layer>
Properties>Symbology> Classified> under Classes select 2. Click on Classify tab.

The Classification window will open. Under Break Values, write the upper limit to 0.25
assuming that 0.25 to 1 represents the healthy vegetation. Click on OK.

Click on OK again. Only healthy vegetation will be displayed on your map.

Task 2:
Copy and paste your classified NDVI map.