Using satellite imagery to monitor plant water stress: a case study of the Ialpug river basin

Remote sensing of water resources and vegetation moisture is an efficient method for assessing drought intensity and climate change impacts. This study evaluates the applicability of the NDMI and NDWI indices for detecting water stress in crops using Sentinel-2 L2A images from March to October 2025 in the Ialpug River Basin (southern Moldova). NDMI values were calculated and mapped in ArcMap 10.8.2 at 10-m resolution. Results show an increase in vegetation moisture until June, followed by a sharp decline during summer, typical of semiarid regions. Average NDMI maps reveal the predominance of moderate to severe water stress and highlight ecologically resilient areas that can support sustainable water management and adaptation strategies.