What does an NDVI value of 1 represent?

An NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) value of 1 indicates that there is a high presence of healthy, green vegetation. This value is derived from the contrast between near-infrared light and visible red light reflected from the surface of vegetation. Healthy plants reflect a lot of near-infrared light while absorbing visible light, resulting in NDVI values that approach 1.

In contrast, other possibilities regarding NDVI values illustrate different conditions of the land. For instance, an NDVI value of 0 generally suggests bare soil or sparse vegetation, while negative values can indicate water bodies or unhealthy vegetation. Therefore, an NDVI close to 1 is closely associated with lush, rapidly growing vegetation, signifying vibrant plant health and vitality.