Response of Vegetation Coverage to Climate Changes in the Qinling-Daba Mountains of China

Abstract

As a major component of the north–south transition zone in China, the vegetation ecosystem of the Qinling-Daba Mountains (QBM) is highly sensitive to climate change. However, the impact of sunshine duration, specifically, on regional vegetation remains unclear. By using linear trend, correlation, and multiple regression analyses, this study systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics and trend changes of the vegetation coverage in the QBM from 2000–2020. Changes in the main climate elements in different periods and the responses to them are also discussed. Over the past 21 years, the vegetation coverage on the east and west sides of the QBM has been lower than that in the central areas. However, it is showing a continuously improving trend, especially in winters and springs. The findings indicate that change of FVC in the QBM exhibited a positive correlation with temperature, a negative correlation with sunshine hours, and both positive and negative correlation with precipitation. On an annual scale, average temperature was the main controlling climatic factor. On a seasonal scale, the area dominated by precipitation in spring was larger. In summer, the relative importance of the three was weak. In autumn and winter, sunshine duration became the main factor affecting vegetation coverage in most areas.