Spatial and Temporal Relationships among NDVI, Climate Factors, and Land Cover Changes in Northeast Asia from 1982 to 2009

Abstract

This study uses a multiple linear regression method to composite standard Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series (1982-2009) consisting of three kinds of satellite NDVI data (AVHRR, SPOT, and MODIS). This dataset was combined with climate data and land cover maps to analyze growing season (June to September) NDVI trends in northeast Asia. In combination with climate zones, NDVI changes that are influenced by climate factors and land cover changes were also evaluated. This study revealed that the vegetation cover in the arid, western regions of northeast Asia is strongly influenced by precipitation, and with increasing precipitation, NDVI values become less influenced by precipitation. Spatial changes in the NDVI as influenced by temperature in this region are less obvious. Land cover dynamics also influence NDVI changes in different climate zones, especially for bare ground, cropland, and grassland. Future research should also incorporate higher-spatial-resolution data as well as other data types (such as greenhouse gas data) to further evaluate the mechanisms through which these factors interact.