We explored the response of vegetation growth to decadal-scale hydroclimatic variations in wet versus dry periods, during 1992-2015. Revealing the factors that modulate the variations of the vegetation-water relationship. This work demonstrated that the dryland ecosystems of Central Asia experience enhanced drought stress due to warming-induced shifts in vegetation phenology and concomitant increase in atmospheric water demand.

We revealed a unanimous 1-month time lag in the response of vegetation growth to SM in the dry period, contrary to much longer time lags and a more spatially heterogeneous response in the wet period.

Earlier spring phenology and increased VPD mediate the divergent vegetation-water relationship in the dry period.