Temporal Variations of NDVI and LAI and Interactions With Hydroclimatic Variables in a Large and Agro‐Ecologically Diverse Region

Satellite based vegetation indices are increasingly used to characterize vegetation's response climate variability and change over large spatial extents. The use of a given index assumes that the adequately describes hydroclimatic forcing. objective this study is compare temporal behaviors normalized difference (NDVI) leaf area (LAI) their associations with variables. Observations monthly precipitation, streamflow, temperature, vapor pressure deficit, evapotranspiration, total water storage anomalies (TWSA) processed for combined Sacramento River San Joaquin basins in California 13 years (October 2002 September 2015). Estimates NDVI LAI obtained same period from MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). seasonal cycle peaks 2–3 months earlier than LAI. variation follows seasonality TWSA (i.e., availability) whereas mean temperature deficit atmospheric demand). Cross-correlation analyses variables show more strongly correlated most considered.