Extreme events like heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires are events that have significant impacts on human health, ecosystems, and infrastructure. A recent example of these events and their consequences was the multi-year drought that began in 2021 and continued until the middle of 2023, leaving serious social and environmental repercussions in Italy. 

These events are of increasing concern, as global climate model projections indicate that the duration of major droughts is likely to increase. In this context, monitoring vegetation and soil from satellite platforms has proven to be an effective tool, because it allows the assessment of spatiotemporal variations or changes in vegetation and soil, with continuous data supplies. 

One way to do this is through the use of spectral indices. To date, vegetation stress has primarily been assessed using indices that focus on greenness, but they have limitations to distinguish between senescent vegetation and bare soil. Considering these limitations to monitor vegetation status in relation to moisture availability, the main goal of my PhD proposal is to develop a workflow that will adapt and include thermodynamic indices such as the Water Deficit Index (WDI) and the Emissivity Contrast Index (ECI). 

These indices have proven effective in discriminating between senescent vegetation and bare soil, offering a more robust assessment of environmental stress. This research will use simulated spectral data from the VSWIR and TIR regions according to the upcoming Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) mission. The methodology will be supported by ancillary data, specialized libraries, simulated observations, and validation datasets, with a specific focus on the Basilicata Region.