Calculating NDVI using ArcGIS | Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Maps

NDVI, which stands for Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, is a numerical indicator that assesses the health and density of vegetation based on satellite data. It's calculated using the difference between near-infrared (NIR) and red light reflectance. High NDVI values suggest healthy vegetation, while low values indicate bare soil or non-vegetated surfaces.

In ArcGIS, you can calculate NDVI using the following steps:
Import Satellite Imagery:
Load the satellite imagery with bands representing red and near-infrared (NIR) into ArcGIS.

Access the Raster Calculator:
Open the "Raster Calculator" tool in ArcGIS. You can find it in the "Spatial Analyst" toolbox.

Input NDVI Formula:
Enter the NDVI formula in the Raster Calculator expression:
(Float("NIR_band") - Float("Red_band")) / (Float("NIR_band") + Float("Red_band"))
Replace "NIR_band" and "Red_band" with the actual names of the NIR and red bands in your dataset.

Set Output Parameters:
Specify the output raster name, location, and data type. Ensure the output format supports floating-point values.

Run the Raster Calculator:
Execute the Raster Calculator to generate the NDVI raster.

Visualize Results:
Load the resulting NDVI raster into the map. Use a color ramp that highlights variations in vegetation health.
ArcGIS provides a user-friendly environment for processing and visualizing remote sensing data. Make sure you have the Spatial Analyst extension enabled to access tools like the Raster Calculator.