Evolution of Vegetation Fraction Cover in Agricultural Areas Affected by Prellonged Draughts in the South Regions of Romania

Abstract

Abstract The draught phenomena affecting the traditional agricultural areas in south of Romania has been increasing in intensity over the time, leading to the desertification of several thousands of hectares in the south part of the country. In this study we have computed the vegetation fraction cover for the South-West and South - East regions of Romania, based on the minimum and maximum NDVI extracted from MODIS satellite images. The time frame to refer to is 2000 - 2017, perennially, with special significance given the numerous and prolonged draught intervals these areas have been facing and the social economic evolution, from small farms to large agricultural holdings. The resulted vegetation fraction cover (fc) is correlated to the SPI values in order to determine a pattern to be used in anticipating deviations from the seasonal vegetation productivity. As a conclusion, the study presents a fair balance, indicating the most sensitive areas in soil vegetation cover, due to the SPI change.