Due to the low temperatures, no crops are cultivated between January and April in this region.Along with gradually increasing temperatures, crops are starting to be sowedfrom late April on forward. Considering the last four months, rainfall and temperature indices were well above average (RAIN +79% and TEMP +1.4⁰C),resulting in a large potential biomass increase of 62% and record VCIx. Iffavorable conditions are maintained over the whole cycle, the outcome may be an exceptionally good season.

Figure4.7. Crop condition China Inner Mongolia, January-April 2015

(b)Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA       (c)NDVI profiles

(d)Maximum VCI                       (e)Biomass