Scale-Location Dependence of the Relationship between NDVI and Environmental Factors in Wuyi Mountain

Elevation is the dominant factor controlling vegetation cover in Wuyi Mountain, with its influence varying significantly depending on scale and location. The study reveals that NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) shows weak correlations with environmental factors at small scales (<480m), but stronger relationships emerge at medium (480-7680m) and large scales (>7680m). Notably, NDVI's correlation with elevation shifts from positive below 600m to negative above 600m on the leeward side of the southeast monsoon. Additionally, while NDVI is directly related to roads, residents, slope, and rivers below 1200m, these relationships invert at higher elevations. The research utilized wavelet coherency analysis on data from DEM, residents, roads, rivers, and ALOS remote sensing imagery (2009) across two transects to uncover these scale- and location-dependent patterns.

Zou, W. C., & Xiao, G. R. (2014). Scale-Location Dependence of the Relationship between NDVI and Environmental Factors in Wuyi Mountain. Advanced Materials Research, 955-959, 3828–3834. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.955-959.3828