On the terminology of the spectral vegetation index (NIR − SWIR)/(NIR + SWIR)

Abstract

The spectral vegetation index (ρNIR − ρSWIR)/(ρNIR + ρSWIR), where ρNIR and ρSWIR are the near-infrared (NIR) and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) reflectances, respectively, has been widely used to indicate vegetation moisture condition. This index has multiple names in the literature, including infrared index (II), normalized difference infrared index (NDII), normalized difference water index (NDWI), normalized difference moisture index (NDMI), land surface water index (LSWI) and normalized burn ratio (NBR). After reviewing each term's definition, associated sensors and channel specifications, we found that the index consists of three variants, differing only in the SWIR region (1.2–1.3, 1.55–1.75 or 2.05–2.45 μm). Thus, three terms are sufficient to represent these three SWIR variants; other names are redundant and therefore unnecessary. Considering the spectral representativeness, the term's popularity and the ‘rule of priority’ in scientific nomenclature, NDWI, NDII and NBR, each corresponding to the three SWIR regions, are more preferable terms.