Dynamics of vegetation productivity in Dryland East Asia from 1982 to 2010

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Publication Title

Dryland East Asia Land Dynamics Amid Social and Climate Change

Abstract

We use the satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to examine the trends of vegetation productivity in the Dryland East Asia (DEA) region over the period from 1982 to 2010. Our results show that, overall, vegetation productivity significantly increased in the DEA region over the study period. Vegetation productivity shows increasing trends for all broad vegetation types except forests. Increasing trends were observed for many areas of the region, particularly western Mongolia, central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China, and western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. Temperature is the dominant climatic factor of increasing productivity in the region. Warmer temperatures in spring and fall increased the growing season length and productivity. Other factors such as the increases in the area and/or yield of crops and grass, changes in land cover/land use, irrigation projects, and changes in agricultural practices (e.g., increased use of chemical fertilizers) also enhanced plant productivity in the region. MODIS NDVI data complement AVHRR NDVI data and extend the AVHRR record to the present. Future inter-calibration and seamless integration of these two NDVI records will provide continuity for analysis of vegetation productivity over a longer and continuous time period from 1982 to the present.

First Page

125

Last Page

147

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