Inter-annual variability and interaction of remote-sensed vegetation index and atmospheric precipitation in the Aral Sea region

The remotely sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (AVHRR NDVI) and precipitation data were analysed in the Aral Sea region in Central Asia during two recent decades. Both variables exhibited pronounced seasonal variation, with maximum precipitation in March and maximum NDVI in May–June. The regions of synchronous seasonal and inter-annual variability between the vegetation index and precipitation were distinguished using the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) method and time-lagged correlations between EOF modes. At a seasonal scale, precipitation and the vegetation index were correlated with a time lag from 1 to 6 months in different regions with peak plant growth following precipitation maxima.