Abstract: The spatial patterns and dynamic changes of vegetation coverage in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Basin from 1999 to 2015 are studied through trend analysis based on SPOT NDVI, meteorological data, and digital elevation model. The dynamics of vegetation coverage varying with climate is studied using the partial correlation coefficient method from a single pixel scale; the response of vegetation coverage to climate change and topographic factors in the overall spatial pattern is expounded from a static perspective using a grid method. Results reveal good overall vegetation coverage in the study area, distributing in a gradient from the east to the west with high-coverage areas accounting for 66.14% of the total area. From a dynamic point of view, the response of vegetation coverage to temperature and precipitation changes is of strong spatial heterogeneity. Qualitatively, the dynamic response of vegetation cover to temperature and precipitation changes differs in various regions. From a static point of view, vegetation coverage displays evident nonlinear relation with temperature, precipitation, elevation and slope in a threshold. The response of vegetation coverage is remarkable in the west, while unapparent in the east. The research findings will offer scientific basis for the formulation of comprehensive vegetation management and land resource management adapting to climate and topography.

Key words: vegetation cover, NDVI, climate, topography, spatial distribution, upper reaches of the Yangtze River