This study was conducted at North Kordofan State in the semi-arid areas of Sudan, to provide information for identifying characteristics of different range sites using remote sensing data based on understanding the interactive relationships that include topographic, soil feature and vegetation cover. Three sites representing the main range types in the study area were selected according to variations in soil type (flat sandy sites, sand dune site and hard clay site). Vegetation measurements mainly cover, biomass and trees density were measured. Remote Sensing data in form of MODIS/TERRA surface reflectance at 250 m spatial resolution was used to study seasonal vegetation variability between different rangeland sites using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for five years (2010-2014). The study results showed variations among different rangeland sites with different NDVI values and pattern of monthly changes, where hard clay site showed high NDVI values early and late in the rainy season for the five years. Late in the season sand dune sites showed the highest NDVI values along the five years. The sand sheet site tends to reflect lower NDVI values during September and October. Variations of plant cover, biomass and tree density during the growing season and as dictated by different soil types at each site are the main factors behind variations in values of NDVI. On other hand, soil characteristics influence plant cover quantitatively and qualitatively. Values of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and their pattern along months of year can be used for characterization of rangelands sites as part of range classification and for understanding spatial change in rangeland types.�Key words: Rangelands � Site characteristics, Rangelands classification
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