Relationship between soil moisture and vegetation in the Kairouan plain region of Tunisia using low spatial resolution satellite data

A strong correlation exists between soil moisture and vegetation dynamics in the Kairouan plain, Tunisia. Researchers developed a semiempirical model using low-resolution satellite data (1991–2006) to predict normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values based on soil moisture profiles from prior months during the rainy season (October–May). Validated against rainfall events and Global Soil Wetness Project data, this approach offers a simple yet effective tool for modeling vegetation in semiarid regions. The study highlights how satellite-derived moisture data can serve as a reliable indicator of vegetation development, advancing our understanding of water-vegetation interactions in arid ecosystems.

Zribi, M., Paris Anguela, T., Duchemin, B., Lili, Z., Wagner, W., Hasenauer, S., & Chehbouni, A. (2010). Relationship between soil moisture and vegetation in the Kairouan plain region of Tunisia using low spatial resolution satellite data. Water Resources Research, 46(6). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009wr008196