Exploring the influence of ENSO on African vegetation variability using multidimensional map algebra

This research explores ENSO-related spatial and temporal regional African vegetation variability over different land covers using monthly 1982-1999 AVHRR NDVI imagery. Multidimensional map algebra (MMA), a processing language for spatio-temporat data, is used for data integration and analysis. Results suggest that in southern Africa and the western Sahel the ENSO cold phase is associated with enhanced vegetation intensity, particularly in shrubland. In the western Sahel, the ENSO warm phase is associated with suppressed vegetation intensity for woodland and cropland. In these regions the ENSO cold phase is associated with increased spatial and temporal vegetation variability.