The spatiotemporal characteristics of NDVI, precipitation and RUE during 2000-2012 in Xinjiang

In the present study, the spatial distribution characteristics and the interannual variation of NDVI, precipitation and RUE from June to September during 2000-2012 in Xinjiang were analyzed. The results showed that the spatial distribution characteristics of monthly mean precipitation and monthly mean NDVI decreased from northwest to southeast, and the annual precipitation and annual NDVI increased in north Xinjiang, decreased in south Xinjiang although the annual precipitation changed more obvious. The spatial distribution comparison characteristics of monthly mean precipitation and monthly mean RUE was not obvious and the variation of annual precipitation and annual RUE was opposite. In different land use types, there was significantly positive correlation between precipitation and NDVI (r>0.3, P<0.05) which showed that precipitation conditions had significant influence on the vegetation spatial distribution. There was significantly negative correlation between precipitation and RUE(r<-0.22, P<0.05), which showed the inhibition effect of excessive precipitation on vegetation photosynthesis.