NDVI Variation of Tree Rings between March and May since 1915 in the Eastern Part of the Qilian Mountains of China

摘要

[Objective] The aim was to analyze the correlation between tree-ring width of Picea crassifolia in the east of Qilian Mountains and the precipitation, temperature and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). [Method] The correlation analysis and the regression analysis were used in this study. [Result] The tree-ring width was significantly correlated with the autumn precipitation and the spring average NDVI. The conversion equation between tree-ring width and spring NDVI (R2 = 48.5% , R2adj =46.2% , F =21.627, P <0.001) was developed and NDVI sequence was reconstructed during the period 1915 -2007. The drought in the 1920s was pronounced. Vegetation cover in the Qilian Mountains increased during the period 1922-1934, 1940-1957, 1965-1969, 1984-1988 and 1995-1997, but decreased during 1935 -1939, 1958 -1964, 1970 -1983, 1989 -1994 and 1998 -2005. [Conclusion] The reconstructed NDVI showed the drought evolution in the study area.