Vegetation Outlook (VegOut)

This graphic compares Vegetation Outlook (VegOut) predictions based on data through July 24, 2006, with later observed conditions. The top left frame is a satellite image of current vegetation conditions, and the following three frames predict what conditions will look like at two-, four- and six-week intervals into the future. The bottom three frames compare later actual observed values with predicted values.

Researchers derive the future outlooks based on climate modeling, sea surface temperature modeling, and biophysical data. Data-mining is used to identify historical drought patterns that may have predictive value.

VegOut is currently experimental, but has shown promising results. Researchers anticipate that it will be of use to agricultural producers, natural resource managers, and other decision makers.

Dr. Tsegaye Tadesse of the NDMC is the lead researcher for the VegOut tool. Dr. Tadesse and Dr. Brian Wardlow will be presenting a paper entitled  “The Vegetation Outlook (VegOut): A New Tool for Providing Outlooks of General Vegetation Conditions Using Data Mining Techniques” at the IEEE International Conference on Data Mining (ICDM) in Omaha, October 28-31, 2007, which provides a general overview of VegOut and results from their initial research.   Look for a link to this paper and more information regarding VegOut in the next edition of DroughtScape.

Back to DroughtScape Fall 2007