Monitoring Vegetation Greenness in Response to Climate Variation along the Elevation Gradient in the Three-River Source Region of China

The Three-River Source Region (TRSR) is vital to the ecological security of China. However, the impact of global warming on the dynamics of vegetation along the elevation gradient in the TRSR remains unclear. Accordingly, we used multi-source remote sensing vegetation indices (VIs) (GIMMS (Global In...

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Main Authors: Zhaoqi Wang, Xiang Liu, Hao Wang, Kai Zheng, Honglin Li, Gaini Wang, Zhifang An
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/10/3/193
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author Zhaoqi Wang
Xiang Liu
Hao Wang
Kai Zheng
Honglin Li
Gaini Wang
Zhifang An
author_facet Zhaoqi Wang
Xiang Liu
Hao Wang
Kai Zheng
Honglin Li
Gaini Wang
Zhifang An
author_sort Zhaoqi Wang
collection DOAJ
description The Three-River Source Region (TRSR) is vital to the ecological security of China. However, the impact of global warming on the dynamics of vegetation along the elevation gradient in the TRSR remains unclear. Accordingly, we used multi-source remote sensing vegetation indices (VIs) (GIMMS (Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies) LAI (Leaf Area Index), GIMMS NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), GLOBMAP (Global Mapping) LAI, MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index), MODIS NDVI, and MODIS NIRv (near-infrared reflectance of vegetation)) and digital elevation model data to study the changes of VGEG (Vegetation Greenness along the Elevation Gradient) in the TRSR from 2001 to 2016. Results showed that the areas with a positive correlation of vegetation greenness and elevation accounted for 36.34 ± 5.82% of the study areas. The interannual variations of VGEG showed that the significantly changed regions were mainly observed in the elevation gradient of 4–5 km. The VGEG was strongest in the elevation gradient of 4–5 km and weakest in the elevation gradient of >5 km. Correlation analysis showed that the mean annual temperature was positively correlated with VIs, and the effect of the mean annual precipitation on VIs was more obvious at low altitude than in high altitude. This study contributes to our understanding of the VGEG variation in the TRSR under global climate variation and also helps in the prediction of future carbon cycle patterns.
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spelling doaj.art-2253e510d6594fec904a819f8befe0e22023-11-21T11:44:27ZengMDPI AGISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information2220-99642021-03-0110319310.3390/ijgi10030193Monitoring Vegetation Greenness in Response to Climate Variation along the Elevation Gradient in the Three-River Source Region of ChinaZhaoqi Wang0Xiang Liu1Hao Wang2Kai Zheng3Honglin Li4Gaini Wang5Zhifang An6State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, ChinaDepartment of Geography, School of Geography and Tourism, Shanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, ChinaThe Three-River Source Region (TRSR) is vital to the ecological security of China. However, the impact of global warming on the dynamics of vegetation along the elevation gradient in the TRSR remains unclear. Accordingly, we used multi-source remote sensing vegetation indices (VIs) (GIMMS (Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies) LAI (Leaf Area Index), GIMMS NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), GLOBMAP (Global Mapping) LAI, MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index), MODIS NDVI, and MODIS NIRv (near-infrared reflectance of vegetation)) and digital elevation model data to study the changes of VGEG (Vegetation Greenness along the Elevation Gradient) in the TRSR from 2001 to 2016. Results showed that the areas with a positive correlation of vegetation greenness and elevation accounted for 36.34 ± 5.82% of the study areas. The interannual variations of VGEG showed that the significantly changed regions were mainly observed in the elevation gradient of 4–5 km. The VGEG was strongest in the elevation gradient of 4–5 km and weakest in the elevation gradient of >5 km. Correlation analysis showed that the mean annual temperature was positively correlated with VIs, and the effect of the mean annual precipitation on VIs was more obvious at low altitude than in high altitude. This study contributes to our understanding of the VGEG variation in the TRSR under global climate variation and also helps in the prediction of future carbon cycle patterns.https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/10/3/193vegetation greennesselevation gradientvegetation indicesglobal warming
spellingShingle Zhaoqi Wang
Xiang Liu
Hao Wang
Kai Zheng
Honglin Li
Gaini Wang
Zhifang An
Monitoring Vegetation Greenness in Response to Climate Variation along the Elevation Gradient in the Three-River Source Region of China
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
vegetation greenness
elevation gradient
vegetation indices
global warming
title Monitoring Vegetation Greenness in Response to Climate Variation along the Elevation Gradient in the Three-River Source Region of China
title_full Monitoring Vegetation Greenness in Response to Climate Variation along the Elevation Gradient in the Three-River Source Region of China
title_fullStr Monitoring Vegetation Greenness in Response to Climate Variation along the Elevation Gradient in the Three-River Source Region of China
title_full_unstemmed Monitoring Vegetation Greenness in Response to Climate Variation along the Elevation Gradient in the Three-River Source Region of China
title_short Monitoring Vegetation Greenness in Response to Climate Variation along the Elevation Gradient in the Three-River Source Region of China
title_sort monitoring vegetation greenness in response to climate variation along the elevation gradient in the three river source region of china
topic vegetation greenness
elevation gradient
vegetation indices
global warming
url https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/10/3/193
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