One method of mapping the difference in vegetation is a measurement
known as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). This image
shows NDVI from Nov. 1, 2007, to Dec. 1, 2007, during autumn in the
Northern Hemisphere. This monthly average is based on observations from
the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's
Terra satellite.
The greenness values on this global map range from -0.1 to 0.9, but have
no actual unit. Instead, higher values (dark greens) show land areas
with plenty of leafy green vegetation, such as the Amazon Rainforest.
Lower values (beige to white) show areas with little or no vegetation,
including sand seas and Arctic areas. Areas with moderate amounts of
vegetation are pale green. Land areas with no data appear gray, and
water appears blue.