The objective of this study was to identify areas of land degradation in sub‐Saharan Africa as
observed from space by tracking the greenness of the vegetation signal expressed as
Normalize Differenced Vegetation Index (NDVI). A series of additional databases was used,
and, through a step‐wise amalgamation of these, conclusions were drawn about the type of
(agro) ecosystems under threat. The datasets (based on 8x8 km2 pixels) of weather and NDVI
(as a proxy for net primary productivity of the land) were averaged annually from monthly
observations over the last two decades of the 20th century. This is likely to have captured
reduced agricultural productivity as well as loss in native vegetation cover. The logical
framework to analyse and interpret the dynamics of the vegetation cover in sub‐Saharan
Africa (SSA) presented here allows for easy re‐assessment as better of more data become
available.
Autores y editores
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information.
Proveedor de datos
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information.