Remote sensing, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and crop yield forecasting

Lv, Xijie

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Description

Title

Remote sensing, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and crop yield forecasting

Author(s)

Lv, Xijie

Issue Date

2014-01-16T17:55:21Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Paulson, Nicholas D.

Department of Study

Agr & Consumer Economics

Discipline

Agricultural & Applied Econ

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Remote Sensing
• Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)
• Crop Yield Assessment
• Forecasting

Abstract

The thesis explored the feasibility of using remotely sensed image and its derived products, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), to assess and quantify corn and soybean yield potential. Fixed-effect panel and ordinary least squares NDVI regression models were developed for different level of spatial aggregation. Through the regression analysis, the thesis identified the relationship between the accumulation of crops’ “greenness” over the growing season and the final crops yield. The ultimate goal of the thesis is to examine whether the NDVI model can produce accurate and timely yield forecasts. Due to the unique features of the spatial data (e.g. global coverage, frequent repeat cycle and etc.), the model can provide significant value to developing countries where the meteorological network is scarce and official crop production estimates are either inaccurate or nonexistent. Therefore, to evaluate the NDIV model’s predictive power, the model’s out-of-sample forecasts were compared to the predictions of a weather-based regression model (modified Thompson model) as well as August, September, and October USDA estimates.

Graduation Semester

2013-12

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Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2013 Xijie (CJ) Lv

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