Seasonal spatio-temporal NDVI analysis for vegetation monitoring in Satara district of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2023

Abstract

This study investigates vegetation dynamics in Satara district using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from Landsat 8 Collection 2 Level-2 satellite data over the period 2014-2023. NDVI trends were analyzed seasonally (rabi, summer, kharif) to assess inter-annual variation and spatial patterns in vegetation cover. Results revealed that NDVI was highest during the kharif season (0.36 to 0.54), driven by monsoonal rainfall, and lowest during summer due to high temperatures and water stress. NDVI map analysis showed the same that kharif seasons consistently exhibited higher vegetation cover. In contrast, rabi seasons showed reduced NDVI in certain years due to dependence on residual moisture and irrigation, with 2019 indicating lower vegetation and 2022 showing significantly better vegetation health. During the summer season, the eastern part of Satara persistently recorded low NDVI values, indicating recurring drought-prone conditions. Years like 2016 showed poor vegetation, while 2020 and 2022 indicated improved vegetation, likely due to effective irrigation practices. Correlation analysis indicated a strong positive relationship between NDVI and rainfall, especially in kharif (r = 0.73), followed by rabi (r = 0.59) and summer (r = 0.50). These findings confirm that NDVI is a robust indicator of vegetation health and seasonal climate impacts in Satara District.