Space-Time Dynamics of Vegetable Coverage in the Intermediary Geographical Region of Ilhéus-Itabuna

Abstract The objective of this study is to evaluate changes in vegetation cover in the Ilhéus-Itabuna geographic intermediate region from 1984 to 2019 using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI). Data was processed through the Google Earth Engine programming interface, using image collections from the TM/Landsat 5 and OLI/Landsat 8 sensors. After creating the indices, areas with different uses were selected, and the NDVI time series graphs were created. It was found that the vegetation density in the region decreased from 1984 to 1999 and increased from that year. The NDVI and EVI showed similar behavior, unlike the SAVI, which lower averages. Average NDVI values were higher in (June-August), due to the association of these conditions with higher soil moisture. In the pasture area, peaks of heat (January-March) drove vegetative activity due to the favorable climate and availability of water and sunlight.