In southern China, the monitoring period corresponds to the harvest season for late rice and the planting season for winter wheat. The overall crop condition  average compared to the last five years, which is clearly illustrated by the NDVI-based crop condition development graph. Precipitation increased 20% and temperature was about average (+ 0.5°C),while RADPAR decreased by 3% compared to average. The precipitation in Fujiandropped very significantly (-76%), compared to average, with an absolute  57mm, which is bound to negatively impact the growth of winter wheat. The precipitation in Guangdong (+129%), Guangxi (+83%), and Yunnan (+94%) all show anincrease over expected values. Maximum VCI reached 0.88, with the croppedarable land fraction staying at the same level as the five-year average. The best crop condition occurs in southern Guangxi and southernYunnan, with the maximum VCI of most regions attaining to 0.8-1.0 or even above1.0, indicating an increased production of late rice and winter wheat. For southern Guangdong, the NDVI profile graph shows an overall average level. In general, the indicators show average crop condition in southern China for the monitoring period.

Figure4.11. Crop condition Southern China region, October 2014-January 2015

a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI    (a) SpatialNDVI patterns compared to 5YA

                     (c)   NDVI profile

(d) Maximum VCI

(e) Biomass