Trends in vegetation change under different karst terrain conditions, southwest China

Trends in vegetation change and their relationships with terrain conditions are significant to understand and evaluate the efficiency of ecological engineering implemented in karst regions, Southwest China. This study aimed to identify vegetation change trends in Hechi, Guangxi, China using time-series of SPOT-VGT NDVI data (1999-2010) and DEM. Linear trend analysis was applied to examine NDVI change trends. The results indicated that most of NDVI values had increased during this time period. There were spatial variations in NDVI change trends, which could be partiallly explained by different karst terrain conditions. The areas of most obviously positive trends in NDVI change were found at the elevation of 500-1000m and the relief amplitude between 200 and 500 m. Negative trends in NDVI change were appeared on slopes of south (sunlit) and west (semi-sunlit) aspect and at the elevation of 200 - 500 m, where were mainly due to human activities.