Spatial-temporal variation of satellite-based gross primary production estimation in wheat-maize rotation area during 2000–2015

North China Plain is the largest agricultural production center in China and wheat-maize rotation is a widespread cultivation practice in this area. As gross primary production (GPP) is a proxy of land productivity, research on its spatial-temporal dynamics helps understand the variation of grain production in wheat-maize rotation. Here, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data and ground observation data were combined to drive Vegetation Photosynthesis Model (VPM) in GPP estimation over wheat-maize rotation area during 2000–2015. Annual GPP has increased by 540.95 g C m−2 year−1 from 2000 to 2015, while total annual GPP has grown ∼150% than that of 2000. Moreover, annual GPP showed an increasing trend in the consecutively wheat-maize rotation area between 2000 and 2015. A strong linear relationship between GPP estimates and grain production demonstrated the potential of using VPM model to evaluate grain production in wheat-maize rotation area of Henan province, China.