Comparison of Vegetation Index from ASTER, CBERS and Landsat ETM+

Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), as the most important index derived from the red and near infrared spectrum scope of multi-spectral remotely sensed data, plays important roles to remote sensing applications in different fields. Three data sources operated by different vendors are chosen to compare the NDVIs derived from them and discover mutual relationships. The three sensors are ASTER, CBERS and Landsat ETM+. Before NDVIs are computed, image registration, geometric correction and atmospheric correction are conducted. The comparison is conducted from three levels: global level at the whole image scene, local level at some specific areas, and special object level by using related statistical indexes, and some useful suggestions are given based on the comparison.