.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Return
Assessing the influence of contrasting soil and climatic conditions on NDVI-based vegetation activity in the Cheliff-Zahrez Basin (Northern Algeria)
.png){kind=icon}
PRE
AI
N
M
A
M
DOI：10.1007/s10661-026-15779-z.png)
.png){kind=icon}
Original request for help.png){kind=icon}
Share.png){kind=icon}
Save
Abstract
En 中文
Understanding soil–climate interactions and their influence on vegetation is critical for managing semi-arid environments. This study investigates how contrasting soil properties and seasonal climatic conditions jointly influence NDVI-based vegetation activity in northern Algeria. Fifty soil samples were analyzed for ten physicochemical parameters and grouped into three distinct clusters using the K-means clustering algorithm. Vegetation performance at the sampling locations was assessed using monthly Sentinel-2 NDVI data for 2024, whereas precipitation and temperature were used to characterize seasonal climatic variability. In addition, long-term seasonal patterns (2000–2024) were analyzed using harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 NDVI time series along with climate data to evaluate interannual vegetation activity under the three soil clusters. The results showed significant differences in NDVI values among soil clusters (ANOVA, p = 0.0053; Kruskal–Wallis, p = 0.0105). Cluster 0, characterized by higher electrical conductivity, elevated limestone content, and coarse soil texture, showed the lowest mean annual NDVI (0.249) throughout 2024. In contrast, Cluster 1, associated with high organic matter content and more favorable soil conditions, exhibited the highest vegetation performance (mean annual NDVI = 0.315), whereas Cluster 2, characterized by a predominantly clay loam texture and lower organic matter content, exhibited intermediate NDVI values (0.286). Seasonal NDVI variability was closely associated with water availability, with peak values following winter rainfall and marked reductions during the dry summer season. The long-term analysis further indicated the persistence of NDVI differences among the soil clusters over the 25-year study period, suggesting a sustained influence of soil properties on vegetation activity despite climatic fluctuations. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of considering both soil heterogeneity and climatic seasonality in shaping vegetation activity and ecosystem resilience in semi-arid regions.
Keywords:
NDVI
Vegetation activity
Soil properties
K-means clustering
Climate variability
Semi-arid regions
Journal
IF:
3
Papers:
2.1K
Citations:
3.5W
Organization
Cited Papers