Vegetation Index to estimate chlorophyll content from multispectral remote sensing data

Normalized Area Vegetation Index (NAVI) is proposed for estimating chlorophyll content (Chl) from remote sensing data. NAVI is obtained using only two bands on red and near infrared regions of the spectrum. It is derived from the hyperspectral NAOC index, which was initially developed for the Chl mapping. For determining the relationship between NAOC and NAVI we used 257 spectra obtained with the Proba/CHRIS sensor during the SPARC-2003/2004 campaigns in Barrax, Spain. NAVI was estimated with different pairs of bands and a correlation matrix with NAOC index was obtained. Results show very good linear correlation coefficients, with values >= 0.97. NAVI allows to estimate leaf Chl from satellite data with medium spectral resolution.