Abstract: Based on the NDVI data and meteorological data from 1999 to 2009, the vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) in Qinling mountains was estimated using CASA model , and the characteristics of spatial and temporal variation of NPP and the response to climate change in Qinling mountains were analyzed. The results showed that: 11-year average annual NPP was 542.24 gC·m^-2·a^-1; NPP in Qinling mountains was remarkably increased (P<0.01) during the studied period, and the maximum of NPP (718.77 gC·m^-2·a^-1) was in 2008, the minimum (471.78 gC·m^-2·a^-1) was in 2001; the size of contribution rate of four seasons for annual NPP followed by summer (49.90%)>spring (26.16%)>autumn (18.87%)>winter (5.07%); there was a significant correlation of monthly NPP with temperature and precipitation, and the correlation with temperature was higher than that with precipitation, the influence of temperature on NPP was larger than precipitation on NPP in the month level; the correlation of NPP with temperature and precipitation was mainly characterized by positive value in spatial distribution during growing season.

Key words: climate change, Qinling mountains, vegetation net primary productivity