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The influence of temperature and precipitation on the vegetation dynamics of the tropical island of Hainan

Theoretical and Applied Climatology volume 143, pages 429–445 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Understanding how terrestrial ecosystems respond to climate change can help achieve regional sustainability. The normalized difference vegetation Index (NDVI), which is an important vegetation parameter and ecological index, can directly reflect changes in the ecological environment. Based on meteorological observation data and NDVI monitoring data from 2000 to 2018, we explore the impact of climate change on vegetation on Hainan Island. Firstly, by using Mann–Kendall trend detection together with correlation and partial correlation analysis, we analyze the spatial patterns and trends of the NDVI, annual average temperature, and annual precipitation at grid level and also investigate the spatial relationship between the climatic factors and vegetation. The results show that (1) the ecological conditions on Hainan Island are good and the vegetation trends are positive; (2) the air temperature of Hainan Island has a strong positive effect on the NDVI; and (3) precipitation prevents vegetation growth in the rainy season especially in the central parts of the island. This study focuses on the spatiotemporal characteristics and evolution of vegetation and the influence of climate change on vegetation. Our study provides a scientific basis for achieving regional ecologically sustainable development and valuable evidence related to the impact of climate change on vegetation in tropical island regions.

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Acknowledgment

We appreciate Xiaomei Li and Xuemei Li’s projects for supporting this work.

Funding

This research received financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41801004, No.41761014, No.41601562), also sponsored by China Scholarship Council (201806655014), the Research Project for Yong Teachers of Fujian Province (No.JAT160085), the Scientific Research Foundation of Fuzhou University (No.XRC-1536), the and Hainan Key Research and Development Project (ZDYF2018171).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Ecology & Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China

    Pengcheng Guo

  2. College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Pengcheng Guo

  3. Hainan Guowei Eco Environmental Co., Ltd., Haikou, 570203, China

    Pengcheng Guo & Xin Zhao

  4. Guangxi Scientific Experimental Centre for Mining, Metallurgy and Environment, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China

    Xin Zhao

  5. Hainan Academy Research of Environmental Sciences, Haikou, 571126, China

    Jiankang Shi

  6. Fujian Radiation Environment Supervision Station, Fuzhou, 350013, China

    Jucong Huang

  7. College of Environment and Resource, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China

    Jia Tang, Rongrong Zhang, Qianfeng Wang & Jingyu Zeng

  8. Fujian Academy of Environmental Sciences, Fuzhou, 350012, China

    Jin Chen

Authors
  1. Pengcheng Guo
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  2. Xin Zhao
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  3. Jiankang Shi
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  9. Jingyu Zeng
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Correspondence to Jingyu Zeng.

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Highlights

• For tropical islands, the air temperature has a significant impact on vegetation.

• The impact of climatic factors on vegetation is different in the dry and wet seasons.

• Increased precipitation in tropical island areas in the wet season may prevent vegetation growth.

• Our findings can help with understanding the characteristics of the response of tropical island vegetation to precipitation and air temperature.

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Guo, P., Zhao, X., Shi, J. et al. The influence of temperature and precipitation on the vegetation dynamics of the tropical island of Hainan. Theor Appl Climatol 143, 429–445 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-020-03430-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-020-03430-x