Modified soil adjusted vegetation index of the Sarcobatus Flat area of the Death Valley

These data were released prior to the October 1, 2016 effective date for the USGS’s policy dictating the review, approval, and release of scientific data as referenced in USGS Survey Manual Chapter 502.8 Fundamental Science Practices: Review and Approval of Scientific Data for Release. The raster-based Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index was derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery data acquired during June 1989 for Sarcobatus Flat. The index has been shown to increase the dynamic range of the vegetation signal while further minimizing the soil background influences, resulting in greater vegetation sensitivity as defined by a "vegetation signal" to "soil noise" ratio. The data set was used in determining phreatophyte boundaries [...]