Part of the variability of rainfall and air temperature in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) is associated with the variability of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. This knowledge is of great relevance, given the importance of these elements on vegetation growth. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between SST, in some regions of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and vegetation growth in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) images obtained from NOAA satellite, and monthly averages of SST data, obtained from NCEP and NCAR were used. SST data of the Pacific Ocean and of the Atlantic subtropical ocean were correlated to NDVI in the state, monthly, simultaneously and with 1, 2 and 3 months lag. Also verified was the existence of the association between SST in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and NDVI in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is dependent on season and region of the state. NDVI is correlated to SST of the Pacific Ocean during the summer, while for the winter period the SST of the Atlantic Ocean shows greater correlation.
vegetation index; SST; correlation coefficient
