Winter crops cannot survive in Inner Mongoliadue to low temperatures from October to March. Compared with averageconditions, the environmental indices show a significant increase of RAIN(+69%) and a large decrease of RADPAR (-10%), while temperature was slightlyabove average. BIOMSS, however, was significantly above the five-yearaverage for the same period (+33%).

As a result, abundant snow since Decemberwill provide favorable soil moisture for the sowing of upcoming spring crops.Potential biomass during the monitoring period in most areas of Inner Mongoliawas at least 20% above average (Figure 4.6). However, temperature was higherthan average in most areas in Inner Mongolia, which may have some influence onspring crops by prematurely depleting soil moisture reserves. 

Figure4.10. Crop condition China Inner Mongolia, October 2015-January 2016

(a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

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

(d)Maximum VCI                                                                                    (e) Biomass