The recent droughts have had a severe impact on urban vegetation in the European Union. SpaceKnow recently examined the drought in Germany, revealing changes in vegetative health and yield in cities. SpaceKnow used its Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a graphical calculator capable of analyzing surface coverage to examine the drought. The NDVI algorithm measures contrasting surfaces by detecting a varied spectrum from a lower, ground-level calculation, such as barren and rocky areas, sand or snow to a medium level which detects shrubs and grass, and to a higher level usually representing rainforests or taller vegetation. The algorithm will be available to all users on our platform.
SpaceKnow utilized our user-friendly platform to look into just how much the summer drought has impacted German urban areas.
Tempelhof Field
Set in the center of Berlin, Tempelhof Field shows the effects of the drought over time. Even though it is not an agricultural field, the analysis indicates a very noticeable change on the ground. The NDVI calculation displays healthy vegetation in red, the green represents the struggling and dying undergrowth.
Neuwied, Germany (on the Rhine)
On May 10, 2017 healthy vegetation can be seen by the red fields detected using the NDVI algorithm, compared to August 26, 2018 which shows an almost total lack of any agriculturally-rich yield.
Elsteraue, Germany
July 3rd reveals a moderately healthy amount of vegetation, whereas by August 7th most of the vegetation is dry which is can be seen by the lack of red.
Published by SpaceKnow Team