Abstract:

In order to reduce the effect of inter-annual variations on cloud parameter, we computed the cloud parameter drought index with Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as a case study. According to ground observation data, we selected appropriate characteristic value to calculate the background field data, and then modified the cloud parameter drought index. Results revealed that modified through background field data, the risk level of desert in middle and west Inner Mongolia and farmland in southeast Inner Mongolia reduced in 2006 and 2007, and the area of high risk level decreased apparently. In 2008, the high risk level in the north part of west Inner Mongolia and the southeast Inner Mongolia reduced as well, so did the high risk area. According to the monitoring results in every February from 2009-2011, we can conclude that the spatial distribution of monitoring results obtained by the present method are of good continuity, and the risk levels are closer to the real situation.

Key words: cloud parameters method, remote sensing monitoring, time-series data, drought index, background field, modified function