[Objective] The objective of this study is to analyze the vegetation dynamics and the impacts of climate change on vegetation cover in Maduo County of Qinghai Province

in order to provide decision basis for the ecological environment protection and planning of land resources. [Methods] MODIS13Q1/NDVI time series data

mean air temperature and precipitation data from 9 associated weather stations in growing-season during 2000 to 2014 were collected. Methods including maximum value synthesis

trend line analysis

correlation analysis

partial correlation analysis and multiple correlation analysis were applied. [Results] At temporal scale

NDVI had increased gradually at a rate of 0.012/10 a

which showed a good development trend for the vegetation cover in this region. At spatial scale

65.84% area of vegetation coverage remained unchanged basically

while the increased and decreased area covered by 27.47% and 6.69% of this area

respectively. NDVI changes in the study area were mainly driven by non-climatic factors

which accounted for 83.61% of the area of the study area. In contrast

only 16.39% of the area was affected by climatic factors

of which

3.96% was driven by a combined climatic factor of both air temperature and precipitation

2.74% was driven by temperature and 9.72% was driven by precipitation. [Conclusion] Human activities are the key factors that affect the vegetation changes in Maduo County during the period from 2000 to 2014.