[Objective] To investigate the relationship between the vegetation coverage change and topographic factors (elevation

slope and slope aspects) in order to provide basics for environmental monitoring and restoration

soil and water conservation

and disaster assessment and prevention in Wenchuan earthquake area.[Methods] By using dimidiate pixel model to estimate vegetation fraction in the earthquake area

the relationships between vegetation fraction and topographic factors was analyzed.[Results] Vegetation fraction had negative correlations with slope and elevation(<3 000 m). Similar negative correlations were also found between the topographic factors and the proportion of low vegetation coverage. The effect of earthquake on the vegetation was dramatic in the area with elevation <500 m

and area with elevation ranged from 500 to 1 000 m and slope <5°

where the recovery period was longer. Until May 2015

vegetation recovery has not reached to the level before the earthquake. Besides

there were no significant differences between variation of vegetation coverage and proportion change of high

middle and low vegetation coverage area among different slope aspects. The proportion of high

middle and low vegetation coverage area in the east

south

north and southeast had been restored to the levels before the earthquake.[Conclusion] Vegetation fraction is closely related to topographic factors

and dynamic monitoring of vegetation status can be obtained from topographic changes.