[Objective] The temporal and spatial evolution of vegetation coverage change from 2000 to 2018 was analyzed, and the response mechanism of vegetation coverage to climate change was clarified in Gansu section of the Yellow River basin, in order to provide scientific basis for the coordinated and sustainable development of ecological environment and social economy in this region and for the further implementation of ecological environment protection, construction and restoration.[Methods] Based on the MODIS NDVI data and meteorological data from 2000 to 2018, linear regression and correlation analysis method was used to analyze the temporal and spatial variation of vegetation coverage and its relationship with climate factors in Gansu section of the Yellow River basin.[Results] The vegetation coverage was decreasing from southwest to northeast in the past 19 years, and Gannan Prefecture had the best vegetation cover. The improved area of vegetation coverage accounted for 36.64%, which was mainly distributed in the north of Lanzhou, Linxia Prefecture, Dingxi City, Qingyang City, Pingliang City and the south of Tianshui City, while the degraded area accounted for 4.2%, which was mainly concentrated in Gannan Prefecture. The vegetation coverage in the study area showed a trend of continuous increase before 2013 and then decreased in fluctuation afterward, but it was increasing as a whole. Pingliang City was the fastest growing city, with an average annual growth rate of 0.96 per year. The vegetation coverage was sensitive to precipitation change in the study area, which showed a significant positive correlation with precipitation.[Conclusion] The spatial difference of vegetation cover in the study area was obvious. The vegetation was mainly improved from 2000 to 2018. Precipitation is a favorable factor affecting the improvement of vegetation, and the improvement of precipitation is very important for the construction and restoration of ecological environment in the study area.