The Characteristics of Climate Change and Response of Vegetation in Three Gorges Reservoir~Area

MODIS and meteorological data were used to analyze the change of climate and vegetation in Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA). The methods used in this study include kriging interpolation, sliding average, linear regression analysis, M{\hyphen{}}K test and geostatistical method. It was found that the annual mean air temperature increased significantly at the rate of 0.015 $^\circ$C/a for the period 1961—2014. Seasonally, the spring, autumn and winter mean air temperature increased significantly. Annual and seasonal precipitation changed insignificantly. In addition, the EVI and NDVI increased significantly and insignificantly, respectively, for the period 2001—2014. Seasonally, the NDVI increased significantly in autumn, and the EVI increased significantly in spring, autumn and winter. Spatially, the annual mean NDVI and EVI increased significantly in 29.74\% and 45.19\% of the study area, respectively. The NDVI and EVI decreased significantly in Chongqing city. The NDVI and EVI in spring were significantly and positively correlated with annual and spring mean air temperature. The EVI in autumn was significantly and negatively correlated with autumn mean air temperature. This study highlights that the mean air temperature has stronger effects on vegetation than precipitation and the effects of global warming on ecological environment at the local scale. The relevant policies in the TGRA have~worked.