Impacts of extreme climate on Australia's green cover (2003–2018): A MODIS and mascon probe

Australia as a continent represents semi-arid environment that is generally water-limited. Changes in rainfall pattern will inevitably occur due to rising temperatures caused by climate change, which has direct impact on the distribution of Australia's vegetation (green cover). As variability continues increase, i.e., frequency and/or magnitude, extreme events such droughts are predicted become more pervasive and severe have an adverse effect vegetation. This study investigates effects green cover during 2003–2018 for end rainy seasons April October northern southern parts, respectively, (i) determine state its changes, (ii) identify “hotspots”, regions constantly experienced statistically significant decrease NDVI, (iii), relate changes identified hotspots GRACE-hydrological changes. These achieved through exploitation statistical tools Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Mann-Kendel Test Gravity Recovery Climate Experiment (GRACE) hydrological products one hand, utilization product Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (MODIS-NDVI) used here with native spatial resolution 0.002413? × other hand. Differences between 3-year intervals from 2003 2018 both datasets quantify variations. Through area change analysis, differences (2003–2018) indicate exhibited larger increase (13.77% total area) than (7.83%) compared October, slightly (9.41%) (8.71%). South Western emerge “hotspots” decreased no noticeable April. GRACE-based reflect decreasing trend (2003–2009) increasing (2009–2012) peaks 2011, then transitions towards gradually after 2012. Australia-wide (ENSO IOD) influenced variations data period 2018.