Application of the Vegetation Condition Index in the Diagnosis of Spatiotemporal Distribution of Agricultural Droughts: A Case Study Concerning the State of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil
Adriano Posse Senhorelo,
Elias Fernandes de Sousa,
Alexandre Rosa dos Santos,
Jéferson Luiz Ferrari,
João Batista Esteves Peluzio,
Sidney Sara Zanetti,
Rita de Cássia Freire Carvalho,
Cláudio Barberini Camargo Filho,
Kaíse Barbosa de Souza,
Taís Rizzo Moreira,
Gizely Azevedo Costa,
Sustanis Horn Kunz,
Henrique Machado Dias
Affiliations
Adriano Posse Senhorelo
Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (IFES), Campus Alegre, BR 482, km 7, Rive, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Elias Fernandes de Sousa
Postgraduate Program in Plant Production, State University of North Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, Brazil
Alexandre Rosa dos Santos
Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Jéferson Luiz Ferrari
Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (IFES), Campus Alegre, BR 482, km 7, Rive, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
João Batista Esteves Peluzio
Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (IFES), Campus Alegre, BR 482, km 7, Rive, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Sidney Sara Zanetti
Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Rita de Cássia Freire Carvalho
Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Cláudio Barberini Camargo Filho
Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (IFES), Campus Alegre, BR 482, km 7, Rive, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Kaíse Barbosa de Souza
Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Taís Rizzo Moreira
Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Gizely Azevedo Costa
Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Sustanis Horn Kunz
Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
Henrique Machado Dias
Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre 29500-000, Brazil
We applied a robust framework for agricultural drought identification in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, by employing the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) based on data obtained through the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). By doing so, we analyzed the interrelationships between the VCI and anomalies in the Land Surface Temperature (LST), along with connections between the VCI and data considering water deficits in vulnerable areas. When it came to image processing, we focused on the use of analytics and GIS algorithms, while the Scott–Knott method elucidated the statistical analyses. Consequently, we identified drought areas followed by periods susceptible to their occurrence, indicating 2016 as the driest year. The North macroregion presented the lowest average values regarding VCI values in the most vulnerable periods, followed by the Central one. We also call attention to the highest LST averages observed in 2015 and 2016, as strong El Niño events marked the same timeframe periods. The methodological approach was efficient for the identification, analysis, and characterization of agricultural drought occurrences, enabling mitigation actions, as well as the management of the exploitation and protection of water resources. Moreover, further research should be conducted by incorporating other indices to enhance the understanding of agricultural drought and its effects on vegetation.
