Impact of Vegetation Structure on Drought Indices Based on MODIS Spectrum

The drought indices based. on MODIS spectral reflectance data are widely used for drought characterization and monitoring in agricultural context. Based on the PROSAIL model and MODIS observational data in Shandong in 2010, the present paper studied the impact of vegetation structure of leaf area index and physiological growth cycle on MODIS spectral drought index. The results showed that the reflectance of three MODIS bands in spectrum of near-infrared and shortwave infrared changes significantly with leaf water content of vegetation. Therefore, the five kinds of MODIS spectral drought index constructed by those MODIS bands can be used to monitor the leaf water content of vegetation. However, all drought indices are affected by leaf area index. In general, the impact is serious in the case of low LAI values and is weakened with the increase in LAI value. The study found that physiological vegetation growth cycle also affects the magnitude of MODIS spectral drought indices. In conclusion, the impact of vegetation structure must be carefully considered when using MODIS spectral drought indices to monitor drought. The conclusion of this study provides a theoretical basis for remote sensing of drought monitoring.