2014 Crops have already been harvested by October 2014. Inner Mongolia does not grow any winter crops due to low temperature between October and January. Compared with average conditions, CropWatch agroclimatic indices indicate a sharp increase of rainfall (+52%) and decrease of radiation (-3%); temperature was slightly above average. Biomass (expressed with the CropWatch BIOMSS indicator), however, was above the last five-year average for the same period (+4%). Abundant snow since December and above rainfall will be favorable for the sowing of upcoming spring crops. However, temperature was higher than average in most areas in Inner Mongolia, which may have some influence on spring crops by prematurelydepleting soil moisture reserves.

Figure4.6. Crop condition China Inner Mongolia, October 2014-January 2015

a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

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

(d)Maximum VCI                       (e)Biomass