The Dynamic of Vegetation Growth with Regular Climate and Climatic Fluctuations in a Subtropical Mountainous Island, Taiwan

Vegetation phenology is an integrative indicator of environmental change, and remotely–sensed data provide a powerful way to monitor land surface vegetation responses climatic fluctuations across various spatiotemporal scales. In this study, we synthesize the local climate, mainly temperature precipitation, large-scale atmospheric anomalies, El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-connected dynamics, on vegetative in subtropical mountainous island, northwest Pacific Taiwan. We used two decadal photosynthetically active cover (PV) (2001–2020) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) reflectance portray dynamics at monthly, seasonal, annual Results show that PV positively related both precipitation monthly timescale types, log-linear with one-month lagged reveals accumulation seasonal rainfall having significant effect growth. Using TIMESAT, three phenological metrics, SOS (start growing season), EOS (end LOS (length have been derived time series rainfall. The delayed was manifestly influenced by spring drought, <40 mm during February–March. later led ramification following late EOS, shorter LOS, reduction NPP. Nevertheless, summer (August–October) had no effects growth owing abundant Therefore, associated rainfall, instead played advantageous role regulating development island. PCA (principal component analysis) applied for explored patterns connected climate entire Taiwan, North South first components, PC1 PC2, explained most variance (94–95%) linked temporal (r > 0.90) which also regulated climate. While subtle signals PC3 PC4 0.1–0.4% variance, regional drought = 0.35–0.40) especially central southwest Taiwan ENSO-associated variation −0.40–−0.37). Through synthesizing relationships between based multiple timescales, there will be comprehensive picture its cascading ecosystem productivity.