The "AVHRR compatible Normalized Difference Vegetation Index derived from MERIS data (MERIS_AVHRR_NDVI)" was developed in a co-operative effort of DLR (German Remote Sensing Data Centre, DFD) and Brockmann Consult GmbH (BC) in the frame of the MAPP project (MERIS Application and Regional Products Projects). For the generation of regional specific value added MERIS level-3 products, MERIS full-resolution (FR) data are processed on a regular (daily) basis using ESA standard level-1b and level-2 data as input. The regular reception of MERIS-FR data is realized at DFD ground station in Neustrelitz.

The Medium Resolution Imaging MERIS on Board ESA's ENVISAT provides spectral high resolution image data in the visible-near infrared spectral region (412-900 nm) at a spatial resolution of 300 m. For more details on ENVISAT and MERIS see http://envisat.esa.int The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) compatible vegetation index (MERIS_AVHRR_NDVI) derived from data of the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) is regarded as a continuity index with 300 meter resolution for the well-known Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from AVHRR (given in 1km spatial resolution). The NDVI is an important factor describing the biological status of canopies. This product is thus used by scientists for deriving plant and canopy parameters. Consultants use time series of the NDVI for advising farmers with best practice.

For more details the reader is referred to

http://wdc.dlr.de/sensors/meris/ and http://wdc.dlr.de/sensors/meris/documents/Mapp_ATBD_final_i3r0dez2001.pdf

This product provides 10-days maps.