Use of Geographically Weighted Regression Model for Exploring Spatial Patterns and Local Factors Behind NDVI-Precipitation Correlation

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)-precipitation correlation has long been studied. In previous studies, the correlation was usually based on global regression model, which assumed such correlation be constant across the space. However, NDVI-precipitation correlation is spatially dependent and affected by local factors (e.g., soil background). In this paper, geographically weighted regression model is utilized to analyze the NDVI-precipitation correlation on three land use types (i.e., 1) grassland, 2) fallow/idle land, and 3) winter wheat land) within U.S. central great plain area. Results suggest that geographically weighted regression model has better performances than global regression models. Specifically, higher average R² (0.81) and lower proportion (9%) of residuals with spatial autocorrelation has been achieved under geographically weighted regression in comparison with lower average R² (0.68) and higher proportion (38%) of residual with spatial autocorrelation under global regression models. In addition, the spatially dependent correlation between NDVI and precipitation has been revealed with geographically weighted regression model. From the north to south, the increasing unit rate of NDVI´s change with precipitation has been found through spatially varying regression slopes. Moreover, local factors affecting NDVI-precipitation correlation, such as soil permeability and thickness, have been identified through analyzing the local goodness of fitting under geographically weighted regression model. In summary, unveiled spatial patterns of NDVI-precipitation correlation provide another perspective for studying correlations between NDVI and climatic factors. This work should also be helpful to better understand crop responses to precipitation in agricultural management.