Response of vegetation to multi-timescales drought in the Qinling Mountains of China. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qi, Guizeng; Song, Jinxi; Li, Qi; Bai, Hongying; Sun, Haotian; Zhang, Shanhong; Cheng, Dandong
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 135(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: NDVI -- SPEI -- Different time scales -- Spatial difference -- Qinling Mountains of China; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108539
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Highlights: The response of vegetation to drought on different time scales was evaluated. Spatial differences were identified in vegetation response to drought. The critical period of vegetation response to drought were determined. The timescale of vegetation response to drought were revealed. Abstract: A deep understanding of the response characteristics of vegetation to drought is important for ecosystem and water resource management. In this study, we investigate spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation responses to droughts and their causes in the Qinling Mountains (QMs). The study showed that (1) there was a significant positive correlation ( p < 0.05) between the Normalized Difference Degetation Index (NDVI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in 80.98% of the QMs. The most sensitive period of vegetation growth in response to drought was May-July. The average timescale of the vegetation response to drought changes was 11.88 months, where the vegetation response timescale on the northern slope (10.67 months) was shorter than that on the southern slope (12.02 months). (2) A clear relationship was identified between the vegetation response to drought and vegetation type and elevation, indicating that the overall vegetation sensitivity in the QMs is relatively high, with grasses being the most sensitive to drought conditions. Vegetation drought management should be focused on extremely sensitive and severely sensitive areas in aridified regions in the future.