The resulting range of values is zero to 200, which can be converted to byte-binary format. A vegetation index may be combined with other spectral bands to create striking false-color images of land vegetation. Special composite image of Gdansk Bay region, northern Poland. Field of view is about 150 km across. Field of view about 50 km across.
Water strongly absorbs infrared energy and weakly reflects red light.
Water is the only common surface material with this spectral signal. The only exceptions in water are floating mats of algae or other emergent aquatic plants that produce spectral signals like terrestrial vegetation. The state of the world's vegetation has become a major subject of research during the past two decades. Vegetation is a key indicator for overall environmental conditions, and changes in vegetation are useful means for recognizing changes in other environmental factors. Regional and global analysis of both terrestrial and marine vegetation is now possible based on satellite remote sensing.