Satellite-observed changes in terrestrial vegetation growth trends across the Asia-Pacific region associated with land cover and climate from 1982 to 2011

The Asia-Pacific (AP) region has experienced faster warming than the global average in recent decades and has experienced more climate extremes, however little is known about the response of vegetation growth to these changes. The updated Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies third-generation global satellite Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer Normalized Difference Vegetation Index dataset and gridded reanalysis climate data were used to investigate the spatiotemporal changes in both trends of vegetation dynamic indicators and climatic variables. We then further analyzed their relations associated with land cover across the AP region. The main findings are threefold: (1) at continental scales the AP region overall experienced a gradual and significant increasing trend in vegetation growth during the last three decades, and this NDVI trend corresponded with an insignificant increasing trend in temperature; (2) vegetation growth was negatively and significantly correlated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation index and the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in AP; and (3) at pixel scales, except for Australia, both vegetation growth and air temperature significantly increased in the majority of study regions and vegetation growth spatially correlated with temperature; In Australia and other water-limited regions vegetation growth positively correlated with precipitation.     

基于NDVI序列影像精化结果的植被覆盖变化研究

植被归一化指数(NDVI)是地表植被覆盖特征的重要指标之一。本文以三峡库区2001-2003年MODIS遥感数据反演的NDVI时间序列影像为例,研究NDVI影像序列的精化问题,包括降云及去噪处理的有效方法。在改进的BISE技术降云处理的基础上,采用小波软阈值降噪方法提取有效变化趋势。然后进行库区2001-2003年植被变化的变化矢量分析,采用阈值分割的方法将库区变化强度影像分为未变化、小变化、中等变化与剧烈变化四个类型。研究成果可为三峡库区宏观生态环境变化的掌握提供一定的依据。     

基于MODIS数据的环北京地区土地资源监测研究

本文基于MODIS 16天合成的NDVI时间序列数据及其他辅助数据,首先用PCA方法对NDVI时间序列数据进行信息增强与压缩处理,结合LST数据、DEM数据及降雨温度数据,利用模糊K-均值非监督分类法,进行环北京地区的土地覆盖分类,得到土地资源现状情况。然后利用变化矢量(CVA)分析方法对环北京地区的土地利用及植被覆盖的多年变化状况进行了分析。结果表明,MODIS数据能很好的应用于大范围的土地资源监测中,并能得到较好的结果。     

Assessing land cover change resulting from large surface mining development

A remote sensing based land cover change assessment methodology is presented and applied to a case study of the Oil Sands Mining Development in Athabasca, Alta., Canada. The primary impact was assessed using an information extraction method applied to two LANDSAT scenes. The analysis based on derived land cover maps shows a decrease of natural vegetation in the study area (715,094 ha) for 2001 approximately −8.64% relative to 1992. Secondary assessment based on a key resources indicator (KRI), calculated using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI measurements acquired by NOAA–AVHRR satellites), air temperature and global radiation was performed for a time period from 1990 to 2002. KRI trend analysis indicates a slightly decreasing trend in vegetation greenness in close proximity to the mining development. A good agreement between the time series of inter-annual variations in NDVI and air temperature is observed increasing the confidence of NDVI as an indicator for assessing vegetation productivity and its sensitivity to changes in local conditions.     

Spatial and Temporal Relationships among NDVI,Climate Factors,and Land Cover Changes in Northeast Asia from 1982 to 2009

This study uses a multiple linear regression method to composite standard Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series (1982-2009) consisting of three kinds of satellite NDVI data (AVHRR, SPOT, and MODIS). This dataset was combined with climate data and land cover maps to analyze growing season (June to September) NDVI trends in northeast Asia. In combination with climate zones, NDVI changes that are influenced by climate factors and land cover changes were also evaluated. This study revealed that the vegetation cover in the arid, western regions of northeast Asia is strongly influenced by precipitation, and with increasing precipitation, NDVI values become less influenced by precipitation. Spatial changes in the NDVI as influenced by temperature in this region are less obvious. Land cover dynamics also influence NDVI changes in different climate zones, especially for bare ground, cropland, and grassland. Future research should also incorporate higher-spatial-resolution data as well as other data types (such as greenhouse gas data) to further evaluate the mechanisms through which these factors interact.     

区域作物生长过程的遥感提取方法

提出利用时序NDVI数据提取作物生长过程方法。遥感数据在采集过程中受云、大气因子的影响 ,以及混合像元问题 ,造成时序植被指数值变得没有规律 ,对比性不强。采用基于最小二次方拟合的谐函数分析方法 ,依据作物轮作规律和生长周期性特征 ,用主要频率的正弦、余弦谐函数重建时序图像 ,去除了影像中云污染的影响。以中国的旱地为例 ,考虑到像元内旱地对NDVI值的贡献率 ,计算区域内旱地像元加权平均值来反映其作物生长过程。同时与区域所有像元的平均值、旱地平均值等统计方法的结果进行对比分析 ,表明区域内旱地的加权平均值能够削弱旱地比例和地域间的差异 ,突出耕地上作物的生长过程特征。通过与地面实测数据分析 ,平滑前后的作物生长过程与叶面积指数相关性增加 5 %— 11% ,采用区域加权平均的方法得到的作物生长过程 ,比旱地平均和NDVI平均的结果与叶面积指数的相关性增加 14 %— 17%。     

Spatiotemporal analysis of vegetation index after typhoons in the mountainous watershed

An extensive land cover change was triggered by a series of typhoons, especially Typhoon Morakot in 2009 in Taiwan. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) series from multiple satellite images were applied to monitor the change processes of land cover. This study applied spatiotemporal analysis tools, including empirical orthogonal functions (EOF), and multiple variograms in analyzing space–time NDVI data, and detected the effects of large chronological disturbances in the characteristics of land cover changes. Spatiotemporal analysis delineated the temporal patterns and spatial variability of NDVI caused by these large typhoons. Results showed that mean of NDVI decreased but spatial variablity of NDVI increased after typhoons in the study area. The EOF can clarify the major component of NDVI variations and identify the core area of the NDVI changes. Various approaches showed consistent results that Typhoon Morakot significantly lowered the NDVI in land cover change process. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal analysis is an effective monitoring tool, which advocates the use of the index for the quantification of land cover change and resilience.     

Spatiotemporal analysis of vegetation variability and its relationship with climate change in China

This paper investigated spatiotemporal dynamic pattern of vegetation, climate factor, and their complex relationships from seasonal to inter-annual scale in China during the period 1982–1998 through wavelet transform method based on GIMMS data-sets. First, most vegetation canopies demonstrated obvious seasonality, increasing with latitudinal gradient. Second, obvious dynamic trends were observed in both vegetation and climate change, especially the positive trends. Over 70% areas were observed with obvious vegetation greening up, with vegetation degradation principally in the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, and desert. Overall warming trend was observed across the whole country (>98% area), stronger in Northern China. Although over half of area (58.2%) obtained increasing rainfall trend, around a quarter of area (24.5%), especially the Central China and most northern portion of China, exhibited significantly negative rainfall trend. Third, significantly positive normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)–climate relationship was generally observed on the de-noised time series in most vegetated regions, corresponding to their synchronous stronger seasonal pattern. Finally, at inter-annual level, the NDVI–climate relationship differed with climatic regions and their long-term trends: in humid regions, positive coefficients were observed except in regions with vegetation degradation; in arid, semiarid, and semihumid regions, positive relationships would be examined on the condition that increasing rainfall could compensate the increasing water requirement along with increasing temperature. This study provided valuable insights into the long-term vegetation–climate relationship in China with consideration of their spatiotemporal variability and overall trend in the global change process.     

Analysis of China vegetation dynamics using NOAA-AVHRR data from 1982 to 2001

The authors derived the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the NOAA/AVHRR Land dataset, at a spatial resolution of 8km and 15-day intervals, to investigate the vegetation variations in China during the period from 1982 to 2001. Then, GIS is used to examine the relationship between precipitation and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in China, and the value of NDVI is taken as a tool for drought monitoring. The results showed that in the study period, China’s vegetation cover had tended to increase, compared to the early 1980s; mean annual NDVI increased 3.8%. The agricultural regions (Henan, Hebei, Anhui and Shandong) and the west of China are marked by an increase, while the eastern coastal regions are marked by a decrease. The correlation between monthly NDVI and monthly precipitation/temperature in the period 1982 to 2001 is significantly positive (R2=0.80, R2=0.84); indicating the close coupling between climate conditions (precipitation and temperature) and land surface response patterns over China. Examination of NDVI time series reveals two periods: (1) 1982–1989, marked by low values below average NDVI and persistence of drought with a signature large-scale drought during the 1982 and 1989; and (2) 1990–2001, marked by a wetter trend with region-wide high values above average NDVI and a maximum level occurring in 1994 and 1998.     

Interpretation of crop growth patterns by means of NDVI‐time series in Zambia

A method to correlate crop production in Zambia to the yearly evolution of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is proposed. The method consists of the analysis of remote sensing data together with meteorological data and simulated crop production to obtain indicators of crop production. The accuracy of these indicators is assessed with statistical data.

The main objective was to assess whether the NDVI‐time series extracted from NOAA‐AVHRR‐images , having a pixel resolution of 73 km may give reliable information on crop production in Zambia where agricultural areas cover just 1% of the land area.

The mean NDVI‐value of several pixels, e.g. for one province or other administrative units, relates to the dominant type of vegetation in the area under consideration.

It is shown that the 7.3 km NDVI‐data give reliable indications on crop production in Zambia, when small areas (200–450 km² large ) are considered where agricultural land use is intensive. This implies that preliminary analysis is required to localize the agricultural areas. This has been done by means of high resolution satellite images i.e. LANDSAT‐MultiSpectral Scanner.

Consequently, the NDVI‐time series of the ‘agricultural ‘ pixels are used to calculate crop growth indicators which can be applied to assess the crop production.     

Satellite-based analysis of the role of land use/land cover and vegetation density on surface temperature regime of Delhi,India

The knowledge of the surface temperature is important to a range of issues and themes in earth sciences central to urban climatology, global environmental change and human-environment interactions. The study analyses land surface temperature (LST) estimation using temporal ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) datasets (day time and night time) over National Capital Territory Delhi using the surface emissivity information at pixel level. The spatial variations of LST over different land use/land cover (LU/LC) at day time and night time were analysed and relationship between the spatial distribution of LU/LC and vegetation density with LST was developed. Minimum noise fraction (MNF) was used for LU/LC classification which gave better accuracy than classification with original bands. The satellite derived emissivity values were found to be in good agreement with literature and field measured values. It was observed that fallow land, waste land/bare soil, commercial/industrial and high dense built-up area have high surface temperature values during day time, compared to those over water bodies, agricultural cropland, and dense vegetation. During night time high surface temperature values are found over high dense built-up, water bodies, commercial/industrial and low dense built-up than over fallow land, dense vegetation and agricultural cropland. It was found that there is a strong negative correlation between surface temperature and NDVI over dense vegetation, sparse vegetation and low dense built-up area while with fraction vegetation cover, it indicates a moderate negative correlation. The results suggest that the methodology is feasible to estimate NDVI, surface emissivity and surface temperature with reasonable accuracy over heterogeneous urban area. The analysis also indicates that the relationship between the spatial distribution of LU/LC and vegetation density is closely related to the development of urban heat islands (UHI).     

Abrupt spatiotemporal land and water changes and their potential drivers in Poyang Lake, 2000–2012

Driven by various natural and anthropogenic factors, Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, has experienced significant land use/cover changes in the past few decades. The aim of this study is to investigate the spatial–temporal patterns of abrupt changes and detect their potential drivers in Poyang Lake, using time-series Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 16-day maximum value composite vegetation indices between 2000 and 2012. The breaks for additive seasonal and trend (BFAST) method was applied to the smoothed time-series normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), to detect the timing and magnitude of abrupt changes in the trend component. Large part of Poyang Lake (98.9% for trend component) has experienced abrupt changes in the past 13 years, and the change patterns, including the distributions in timing and magnitudes of major abrupt trend changes between water bodies and land areas were clearly differentiated. Most water bodies had abrupt increasing NDVI changes between 2010 and 2011, caused by the sequential severe flooding and drought in the two years. In contrast, large parts of the surrounding land areas had abrupt decreasing NDVI changes. Large decreasing changes occurred around 2003 at the city of Nanchang, which were driven by urbanization. These results revealed spatial–temporal land cover changing patterns and potential drivers in the wetland ecosystem of Poyang Lake.     

Forest cover trends from time series Landsat data for the Australian continent

In perennial and natural vegetation systems, monitoring changes in vegetation over time is of fundamental interest for identifying and quantifying impacts of management and natural processes. Subtle changes in vegetation cover can be identified by calculating the trends of a vegetation density index over time. In this paper, we apply such an index-trends approach, which has been developed and applied to time series Landsat imagery in rangeland and woodland environments, to continental-scale monitoring of disturbances within forested regions of Australia. This paper describes the operational methods used for the generation of National Forest Trend (NFT) information, which is a time-series summary providing visual indication of within-forest vegetation changes (disturbance and recovery) over time at 25 m resolution. This result is based on a national archive of calibrated Landsat TM/ETM+ data from 1989 to 2006 produced for Australia's National Carbon Accounting System (NCAS). The NCAS was designed in 1999 initially to provide consistent fine-scale classifications for monitoring forest cover extent and changes (i.e. land use change) over the Australian continent using time series Landsat imagery. NFT information identifies more subtle changes within forested areas and provides a capacity to identify processes affecting forests which are of primary interest to ecologists and land managers. The NFT product relies on the identification of an appropriate Landsat-based vegetation cover index (defined as a linear combination of spectral image bands) that is sensitive to changes in forest density. The time series of index values at a location, derived from calibrated imagery, represents a consistent surrogate to track density changes. To produce the trends summary information, statistical summaries of the index response over time (such as slope and quadratic curvature) are calculated. These calculated index responses of woody vegetation cover are then displayed as maps where the different colours indicate the approximate timing, direction (decline or increase), magnitude and spatial extent of the changes in vegetation cover. These trend images provide a self-contained and easily interpretable summary of vegetation change at scales that are relevant for natural resource management (NRM) and environmental reporting.     

中国陆地生态系统脆弱带遥感模型

本研究通过对我国陆地生态系统8个典型样地的植被指数取样实验和图像计算结果发现，这8个样地植被指数随着水、热因子的季节变化，在时间和空间上具有一定的“绿波推移”和“景观更替”规律。在中国东部湿润的季风区（样地1－3），随着纬度的增高，其月平均植被指数与月平均气温有较大的相关。发现降水相对丰沛的地带，热量和光照条件的变化成为植被生长和变化的自然限制因子；而在中国北方森林－森林草原－典型昌原－荒漠草原－荒漠地带上，随着从东部（湿润地区）到西部（干旱地区）干湿条件的更替，月平均植被指数与降水多寡有较大的正相关关系。在8个样地上都呈现出共同的规律，即定向风的分布与植被指数的分布在时间和空间上具有逆相分布的“套合关系”。尤其在时间上有相逆套合关系，这正是中国北方沙尘暴和沙漠化加剧的自然原因。本研究定量地给出了我国陆地不同经纬度带生态系统脆弱季节和累积时间的分布。     

基于傅立叶变换的混合分类模型用于NDVI时序影像分析

应用2004年MODIS的时序NDVI数据，在分析湖北省不同地物类型的NDVI曲线季节性变化特征的基础上，设置对应的阈值，先后将水体、居民地与其他地物类型分离开。将去除了水体和居民地影响的剩余的NDVI序列影像傅立叶变换的1／12频率分量引入到地表覆盖分类的特征空间中，与其最大值影像和平均值影像组合，经过归一量化处理后合成一个类似具有三波段的卫星影像。在合成后的影像上利用最大似然法对其他地类进行分类。研究表明，引入傅立叶变换的特殊频率分量是分析多时相MODIS数据及提取地表植被覆盖信息的有效工具。     

基于 DTW 距离的时序 NDVI 数据植被信息提取--以秦巴山区为例

秦巴山区是我国重要的生态屏障,对该区的植被信息提取开展研究,可为区内生态服务功能及自然资源开发利用提供基础数据。通过加窗处理改进DTW距离相似性算法,结合临近度模糊分类方法对2005—2014年的MODIS NDVI时序数据进行植被信息提取。首先利用S-G滤波对MODIS NDVI时序数据进行重建;再利用2013年的采样数据构建各类植被的标准NDVI时序曲线,逐像元计算与标准NDVI时序曲线的加窗DTW距离,利用临近度模糊分类实现植被信息提取;最后验证提取精度。结果表明,算法具有较高的运行效率,可避免错误匹配,以较高的精度(总体精度83.8%,kappa系数0.77)实现长时间序列的植被信息提取。     

NDVI时间变换一致性的贵州茂兰植被覆盖变化分析

利用近18年贵州茂兰自然保护区的Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI数据,针对云覆盖对影像质量的影响,提出并使用了一种基于NDVI时间变换一致性的方法,构建出较为完整的研究区植被指数时间序列,实现了小区域尺度下长时间序列的植被覆盖变化研究,并采用一元线性回归模型和相关分析法探讨研究区植被覆盖变化趋势及其对气象因子的响应关系。得出结论：NDVI时间变换一致性处理方法可以有效地消除云覆盖的影响;研究区近18年植被覆盖状况良好且正呈缓慢上升趋势,气候因子与植被覆盖变化呈显著正相关关系,其中平均温度的影响在当月最强,而降水量和平均相对湿度的影响则存在滞后性。     

GF-2支持下的干旱区稀疏植被区植被覆盖度估算

现有像元二分模型MODIS植被覆盖度模型因其形式简单、适用性较强的特点被广泛应用于区域植被覆盖度（FVC）的估算。然而,研究表明在沙漠和低植被覆盖的西部干旱区,从250 m的影像上很难精准地获取NDVI_veg（全植被覆盖植被指数）和NDVI_soil（全裸土区植被指数）参数。利用常用的直方图累计法获取模型所需参数NDVI_veg和NDVI_soil,估算结果存在普遍高估现象。为此,本文首先引入同期获取的GF-2号卫星数据,从GF-2号影像上提取植被覆盖像元;然后,利用Pixel Aggregate方法重采样至250 m分辨率,获取250 m空间分辨率下纯植被和纯裸土像元;最后,将纯植被和纯裸土像元各自空间位置相对应的MODIS NDVI数据最大值作为模型所需NDVI_veg和NDVI_soil参数,实现研究区内植被覆盖度的估算。试验通过与线性回归法、多项式回归法和直方图累计像元二分模型法估算结果进行精度对比,结果表明：利用GF-2影像辅助的像元二分模型,精准地获取了低植被覆盖区NDVI_veg和NDVI_soil模型参数,提高了干旱区植被覆盖度的估算精度,并有效地抑制了受稀疏植被影响NDVI在干旱区普遍偏高问题导致的FVC高估的现象。     

融合多源遥感数据的高分辨率城市植被覆盖度估算

准确获取城市植被覆盖定量信息对城市生态环境评价,城市规划及可持续城市发展具有重要意义.遥感技术的发展为获取区域及全球植被覆盖信息提供了有效手段,目前基于单传感器、单时相遥感数据的城市植被覆盖度估算方法得到较为广泛的应用.然而,由于城市地表覆盖的复杂性、植被类型的多样性,在一定程度上影响了城市植被覆盖信息提取的精度.为此...     

Vegetation response to intensive commercial horticulture and environmental changes within watersheds in central highlands,Kenya, using AVHRR NDVI data

Expansion and heterogeneous clustering of commercial horticulture within the central highlands of Kenya after the mid-1990s impact watersheds and the sustainable resource management. This is distressing since climate conditions for world horticultural regions are projected to change, making such farming extremely difficult and costly to the environment. To understand the scope of impact on vegetation, the study evaluated (1) interannual variability in averaged normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI); (2) trends in average annual NDVI before and after 1990 – the presumed onset of rapid horticulture; and (3) relationship between the average annual NDVI and large-scale commercial farms, population density, and mean annual rainfall in subwatersheds. Time-series analysis of long-term Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies NDVI data were analyzed as indicator of vegetation condition. NDVI trends before 1990s (1982–1989) and after 1990s (1990–2006) were evaluated to determine the slope (sign), and the Spearman’s correlation coefficient (strength). Overall, results show considerable variations in vegetation condition due largely to mixed factors including intensive farming activities, drought, and rainfall variation. Statistical analysis shows significant differences in slopes before 1990 and after 1990 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.1 respectively). Negative (decline) trends were common after 1990, linked to increased commercial horticulture and related anthropogenic disturbances on land cover. There was decline in vegetation over densely populated subwatersheds, though low NDVI values in 1984 and 2000 were the effect of severe droughts. Understanding the linkage between vegetation responses to the effects of human-induced pressure at the subwatershed scale can help natural resource managers approach conservation measures more effectively.