Introducing a learning tool (QSVI): A QGIS plugin for computing vegetation, chlorophyll, and thermal indices with remote sensing images

Baş, Nuray

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-14-183-2025

Articles | Volume 14, issue 2

https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-14-183-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-14-183-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 14, issue 2

Research article

|

28 Aug 2025

Research article |

| 28 Aug 2025

Introducing a learning tool (QSVI): A QGIS plugin for computing vegetation, chlorophyll, and thermal indices with remote sensing images

Nuray Baş

Download

Final revised paper (published on 28 Aug 2025)
Preprint (discussion started on 24 Mar 2025)
Supplement to the preprint

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

RC1:
'Comment on gi-2024-8', Anonymous Referee #1, 07 May 2025

This work, following some primary concerns raised during the review process, was improved to address some scientific concerns. In particular, the authors have clarified that, while NDVI calculation in QGIS is not in itself novel, the QSVI plugin adds value by integrating multiple vegetation, chlorophyll, and thermal indices into a streamlined, efficient, and user-friendly tool. The discussion has been improved to better articulate the scientific scope and practical utility of the plugin beyond educational purposes, especially highlighting the inclusion of chlorophyll and thermal indices as a potentially novel contribution. Although the educational motivation remains present, the authors have now positioned the plugin as a broadly useful resource for environmental monitoring, supporting both teaching and applied research. These clarifications make the manuscript a better fit for the journal’s scope.

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2024-8-RC1
- AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Nuray Baş, 12 May 2025
  
  Dear Referees and Editor,
  I sincerely thank both reviewers for their valuable comments and helpful suggestions during the review process. I have extensively revised the manuscript, considering the main comments made in the first review, and I believe that these changes have clarified the scientific contribution of the manuscript.
  In particular:
  I recognize that NDVI is not a new feature in QGIS, and this has been clearly explained in the revised text. I emphasized that the main contribution of the QSVI plugin is its ability to efficiently calculate various vegetation, chlorophyll, and thermal indices in a user-friendly interface.
  The plugin's ability to integrate lesser-known indices, such as CVI, LAI, UTFVI, and TDI, was highlighted as a key difference compared to similar tools.
  This plugin is an effective tool not only for educational purposes but also for environmental monitoring and applied research.
  Overall, the main contributions of this work are the computational efficiency provided by the plugin and the ease of access it offers users.
  Thank you for your valuable contributions. Both the content and structure of my paper have improved significantly. Thank you for your interest and constructive feedback.
  Kind regards,
  
  Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2024-8-AC1

RC2: 'Comment on gi-2024-8', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 May 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload

AR by Nuray Baş on behalf of the Authors (25 May 2025) Author's response Author's tracked changes Manuscript

ED: Publish as is (09 Jun 2025) by Fernando Nardi

AR by Nuray Baş on behalf of the Authors (16 Jun 2025) Manuscript

Short summary

The Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) Sentinel Vegetation Indices (QSVI) plugin is an efficient, user-friendly tool designed to calculate key environmental remote sensing indices. Developed using a Python library within the QGIS software, QSVI significantly reduces computation time, exceeding other popular GIS applications. This study demonstrates its effectiveness in processing large datasets, offering a cost-effective solution for environmental monitoring and analysis, which is particularly valuable in educational settings.

Concern	How addressed in Revised Manuscript
NDVI in QGIS is not novel	The manuscript now clearly acknowledges that NDVI is a well-established index and that its implementation is not a scientific novelty. The focus has shifted to the efficiency and accessibility of multi-index processing using the QSVI plugin.
Scientific novelty of chlorophyll and thermal indices	manuscript elaborates on the inclusion of CVI, LAI, UTFVI, and TDI, offering a more robust justification for their use and distinguishing the plugin from existing tools.
Relevance and scope beyond education	The revised text better positions the plugin as a dual-purpose tool, highlighting its relevance not only in education but also in applied environmental monitoring, supported by processing speed comparisons and practical case studies.
Clarification of plugin's core purpose	The manuscript now frames computational efficiency and user accessibility for multi-index analysis as the core contributions, thereby aligning more closely with the journal's scope.