| Abstract: The objective of this work was to analyze the development of grasslands in Zona da Mata, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2000 and 2013, using a parameter based on the growth index of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (Modis) data series. Based on temporal NDVI profiles, which were used as indicators of edaphoclimatic conditions, the growth index (GI) was estimated for 16-day periods throughout the spring season of 2012 to early 2013, being compared with the average GI from 2000 to 2011, used as the reference period. Currently, the grassland areas in Zona da Mata occupy approximately 1.2 million hectares. According to the used methods, 177,322 ha (14.61%) of these... |
