Relating temperature trends to the normalized difference vegetation index in Las Vegas

This research examines the relation between temperature trends and vegetation change in Las Vegas. A temperature time series is modeled as a superposition of a linear trend and an annual cycle. The model is used to estimate the multi-annual temperature rate of change, which is related to changes in vegetation cover. The change in vegetation cover is estimated using an annual average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The model reveals a general trend of decreasing temperature in Las Vegas from 2000 to 2010. This decrease is less than 0.2 Kelvin per year (K/yr) in older housing developments; however, areas developed during the past decade (North Las Vegas and Southern Highlands) exhibit a decrease of greater than 0.2 K/yr. This temperature change has a correlation of -0.655 with changes in the annual average NDVI. Results reveal that in an arid environment, new housing developments that have an increase in vegetation have a cooling affect. The long-term trend reveals a warming trend. This research provides a useful insight into the effect of NDVI on temperature trends in Las Vegas.