The NDVI (Vegetation Index Normalized Difference) Modis sensor was used to map the classes of land use and land cover of Serras do Sudeste and Campanha Meridional of Rio Grande do Sul. The methodology included the development of a spatial database and the application of digital signal processing techniques (linear contrast, digital classification and arithmetic operations) on Landsat satellite images and Terra of various dates. The results show that forest cover increased from 8.6% to 11.6% and 14.3% of the total area of Serras do Sudeste, between the years 2000, 2004 and 2008. In the Campanha Meridional, the expansion of forest cover increased from 11.1% to 11.2% and 11.5% of the total area in the same period. It is concluded that images MOD13Q1, low spatial resolution (250m), may be used to make maps of forest and other land use properly, in extensive areas.
Remote sensing; NDVI; Forest dynamic
