Spatial-Temporal Variation and Topographic Effect of Vegetation Cover in Lvliang Mountains Area

Abstract

Vegetation cover is an important ecological climate parameter and to a certain extent, it indicates the change in the regional ecological environment. To explore the impact of different terrain factors on the vegetation cover in the Lvliang mountains area and the change and improvement of vegetation cover in this area. MODIS NDVI data from 2010 to 2019 were selected to explore the spatial differences in vegetation cover at different elevations, slopes and aspects by using trend analysis and a terrain difference correction method. The results were as follows. (1) Over the last 10 years, vegetation cover was dominated by the medium-low cover and medium cover. The low cover and medium-low cover were in decline, while the medium cover and medium-high cover were increasing. (2) The proportions of the significantly reduced, basically unchanged and significantly increased vegetation cover changes were 18.49, 48.4 and 33.11%, respectively. Vegetation change generally showed a recovery trend. (3) In terms of elevation and slope, the vegetation decrease type was dominant below an elevation of 1200 m; the vegetation unchanged type was dominant at elevations greater than 1400 m and a slope greater than 6°. The vegetation increase type was dominant in the areas with an elevation of 1200-1400 m and a slope of less than 6°. (4) the aspect had a little effect on vegetation. This research can evaluate the topographic effect of vegetation change more accurately and provide an evidence-based reference for ecological environment governance and ecological construction benefit evaluation in the Lvliang mountains area.