The use of NDVI profiles for estimating the quality of arable lands (exemplified by the Baksan region in Kabardino-Balkaria)

A new approach to estimating the quality of arable lands was developed as based upon MODIS-derived satellite data. The essence of the approach consists in an expert analysis of NDVI curves created separately for different crop groups in the last 10-12 years as well as the inter-annual variability of the NDVI seasonal maximum, whose value was used as an indicator for the crop state and yield on different fields. The nature of NDVI curves allowed expertly classifying the groups, characterizing the winter, early spring and late spring crops. The approach to estimating the quality of arable lands was approved on the example of the Baksan region in Kabardino-Balkaria. All the arable lands have been comprehensively analyzed in the region, the mask of which was created by visual interpretation of field boundaries using LANDSAT satellite data. The temporary NDVI profiles were obtained by the satellite service “VEGA”. Based upon the given method all the fields in the region were classified according to the quality of arable lands. The obtained data may be used in cadastre surveys for objective estimate of lands and optimal arrangement of the main agricultural crops in this Republic, being applicable in the other regions of the Russian Federation.