Recent change of vegetation growth trend and its relations with climate factors in Sichuan, China

Understanding the dynamics of vegetation activity and its interaction with climate factors becomes an important issue in global change research. In this study, using satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data, we analyzed changes in vegetation growth at the region scale from 2000 to 2013 in Sichuan Province, China. And then explored the relationship between NDVI trends and the temperature and precipitation. The results showed: (1) The NDVI of the vegetated area in Sichuan was decreasing with a trend about -2.3 ×10^-3 NDVI.yr^-1. About 2/3 of the vegetated area showed a negative trend of annual mean NDVI. (2) In larger areas vegetation growth was controlled by temperature. (3) Monthly NDVI was significantly correlated with the preceding month´s temperature and precipitation. (4) The spatial pattern of relationship between NDVI and climatic factors was likely correlated with terrain and vegetation type.