Spatiotemporal variability of vegetation phenology with reference to altitude and climate in the subtropical mountain and hill region, China

Bing Wen Qiu, Ming Zhong, Zheng Hong Tang, Chong Cheng Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Understanding the seasonal behaviour of a subtropical forest and its inter-annual variation is crucial to understanding and monitoring its ecosystem function in the context of global warming. Based on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Enhanced Vegetation Index dataset, a wavelet transform method was used to investigate the inter-annual variations of vegetation phenology in a subtropical mountain and hill region in Fujian, China, during 2001-2010. The results show a distinct inter-annual variation of vegetation phenology related to climate variability even if most areas presented non-significant trends. The start dates significantly advanced and end dates delayed in 2003 and 2008, due to anomalously warm conditions. There was generally a gradient of increasing start dates, and earlier end dates of vegetation growing season, due to colder temperatures at higher altitudes. However, the altitudinal phenology relationship also depends on its corresponding rainfall conditions. Earlier start dates were observed at higher altitudes during rainfall deficit years such as 2008, which coincides with relatively abundant rainfall at higher altitudes. This paper reveals that vegetation phenology was coupled with altitudinal gradient, with distinct responses at different combinations of alternate temperature and precipitation conditions variability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2883-2892
Number of pages10
JournalChinese Science Bulletin
Volume58
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2013

Keywords

  • Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI)
  • altitude gradient
  • climate change
  • subtropical mountain and hill region
  • vegetation phenology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Spatiotemporal variability of vegetation phenology with reference to altitude and climate in the subtropical mountain and hill region, China'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this