The impact of vegetation phenology changes on the relationship between climate and net primary productivity in Yunnan, China, under global warming

Climate influences net primary productivity (NPP) either directly or indirectly via phenology. Therefore, clarifying the indirect effects of climate on NPP through phenology is of utmost importance. However, the underlying mechanisms by which phenology indirectly affects NPP are unknown and poorly studied. Based on different structural equation models, this study analyzed the influence of phenology on the relationship between climate and NPP, and the results were as follows: (1) Temperature and solar radiation directly affect the end and beginning of the growing season, respectively, while precipitation indirectly affects the beginning of the growing season. (2) Spring phenology mainly affects the relationship between subsequent precipitation and net primary productivity, while autumn phenology mainly affects the relationship between temperature and net primary productivity. (3) Solar radiation is the most important direct influence factor on phenology and NPP, and the relationship between it and NPP is hardly disturbed by vegetation phenology. This research holds significant scientific and applied values in enhancing our understanding of the effects of global warming, forecasting ecosystem responses in the future, and formulating adaptation strategies.