The dynamic monitoring of corn planting area distribution in response to climate change from 2001 to 2010: a case study of Northeast China

Abstract

Climate change has effects on crop distribution and production due to altering precipitation and temperature patterns. Northeast China is one of the most sensitive areas affected by climate change. In this study, MODIS09A1 data from MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer incorporated with phenology data from 21 agro-meteorological stations were used to monitor the dynamic change of corn distribution in response to climate change in the Northeast China for the decade of 2001 and 2010. Corn area estimates and statistics had the same change trend from 2001 to 2010 showing an annual increase. Furthermore, in order to analyse the gravity centre variations of the corn distribution, regions were chosen with corn planting areas of more than 500 km2. Results showed that the main corn planting area had a trend to move towards high latitude and high longitude in response to climate change. It moved towards north about .58 degrees and east about .21 degrees between 2001 and 2010. The analysis of temperature and precipitation patterns revealed the same trend as the corn planting area. However, the corn area change was more sensitive to temperature than precipitation in Northeast China.