Impact of variations in vegetation on surface air temperature change over the Chinese Loess Plateau

Studying the drivers and combating the effects of climate change is more urgent than ever, particularly in regions with limited water and sensitive ecosystems. This study evaluated the effect of vegetation variation on surface air temperature (SAT) change in the Chinese Loess Plateau over 1982–2015 based on the ‘observation minus reanalysis’ (OMR) method. Observed temperature, ERA-Interim reanalysis temperature, and Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) 3rd generation were used to analyze the relationship between OMR temperature (representing vegetation impact on SAT) and NDVI. Results showed that the Loess Plateau, especially its central-east areas, has undergone a rapid increase in NDVI and rapid decrease in OMR temperature during 1982–2015. This implies a strong cooling effect of vegetation restoration on SAT change. The mean annual NDVI (MNDVI) and NDVI trend (SlopeNDVI) were negatively correlated with OMR temperature trend (SlopeOMR) on the Loess Plateau (P