US Southwest Change of Plant Cover 2003-2004 (IMAGE)
Caption
The satellite image shows the change in plant cover -- as measured by the Enhanced Vegetation Index -- in the US Southwest between June 2003 and June 2004. Yellow and red areas had lower green vegetation cover in 2004 relative to 2003. Blue areas had higher green vegetation cover in 2004 relative to 2003. By identifying surges in plant growth using satellite images, University of Utah researchers showed it is possible to forecast subsequent booms in deer mouse populations and a resulting increase in the risk they will transmit the deadly hantavirus to people. The image was made from data from an instrument named MODIS on NASA's Terra satellite.
Credit
Philip Dennison, University of Utah
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