The potential of NOAA-advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) time series for environmental studies was investigated at the pixel scale. We analyzed a multitemporal set of annual maximum value composite (MVC) of normalized difference vegetation index. Local area coverage data of middle and southern Italy were processed from measurements taken between 1985 and 1999 of the afternoon viewing of NOAA 9, 11, and 14. Significant artificial anomalies were found due to satellite switch, short-wave calibration instability and illumination effects. We removed such systematic errors and achieved a strong reduction of standard deviation values (around 50%). Interesting results were obtained from a change detection analysis performed at the pixel level. Outcomes from satellite-based analysis were compared with independent time series data, such as ancillary meteorological data, forest fire archives, and results from field surveys. Results showed that the geographical areas where MVC data indicated a decrease in vegetation activity match well with areas affected by forest fires, intense human activity, or rapid decline of coniferous forests. In contrast, an increase in MVC was found in regions recently involved in a growth of intensive farming or invaded by alien plants which are now recognized as a threat to native species. Our exploratory results indicate that high-quality AVHRR data can profitably support studies on interannual dynamics of surface parameters. In particular, our parameterization of illumination and calibration adjustments can be directly applied to Mediterranean-like ecosystems. ¿ 2001 American Geophysical Union