Spatial and Temporal Evolutionary Characteristics of Vegetation in Different Geomorphic Zones of Loess Plateau and Its Driving Factor Analysis

Xue Li, Kunxia Yu (), Xiang Zhang, Guojun Zhang, Zhanbin Li, Peng Li, Xiaoming Zhang, Yang Zhao and Wentao Ma
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Xue Li: State Key Lab of Ecological Water Resources in Northwest Arid Zone, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Kunxia Yu: State Key Lab of Ecological Water Resources in Northwest Arid Zone, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Xiang Zhang: Intelligent Environmental Protection Integrated Command Center, Xi’an Bureau of Ecology and Environment, Xi’an 710024, China
Guojun Zhang: Ningxia Soil and Conservancy Water Surveillance Station, Yinchuan 750000, China
Zhanbin Li: State Key Lab of Ecological Water Resources in Northwest Arid Zone, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Peng Li: State Key Lab of Ecological Water Resources in Northwest Arid Zone, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Xiaoming Zhang: China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100000, China
Yang Zhao: China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100000, China
Wentao Ma: Intelligent Environmental Protection Integrated Command Center, Xi’an Bureau of Ecology and Environment, Xi’an 710024, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: Based on MODIS NDVI and a meteorological dataset, this study analyzed the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of vegetation cover in different geomorphic zones of Loess Plateau (LP) from 2000 to 2020 with trend analysis, partial correlation, residual analysis and the CA–Markov method and discussed the driving factors. The research results show that: (1) There are spatial differences in vegetation coverage in different geomorphic regions. The Loess Hills and Forests zone (LF) exhibits the highest coverage, with a multi-year average of 86.64%, and the Arid Grassland (AG) has the poorest vegetation with only 8.53%. Overall, there has been significant improvement in vegetation coverage over the past two decades, although certain geomorphic zones, particularly the Highland Steppe zone (HS) and Alluvial Plains zone (AP), show signs of degradation. (2) Relative humidity has the greatest impact on vegetation among the three climate factors, i.e., relative humidity, precipitation and temperature. Relative humidity predominantly promotes vegetation in all geomorphic zones. Temperature generally inhibits vegetation growth, except in the Wind Sandy zone (WA) and AG. The impact of precipitation on vegetation depends on the region. A lag effect is observed, with temperature and humidity showing a one-month lag and precipitation showing a two-month lag on vegetation response. (3) Human activities play a crucial role in promoting vegetation, particularly in the WA zone, in which the percentage of area where human activities contribute to vegetation has changed from 13.80% to 86.85%, an increase of 73.05%, while the HS experiences an inhibitory effect due to overgrazing and water resource overutilization. Similarly, the AP zone’s vegetation growth is hindered by urban development and land use changes. (4) Land use change significantly impacts vegetation dynamics on the LP. Over the past two decades, the area of forest lawn increased by 122,800 km 2 , which is 1.5 times more than the area of reduction. However, conversion to building land has hindered vegetation growth in certain regions. A comprehensive strategy is required to conserve land resources and promote healthy vegetation growth on the LP.

Keywords: vegetation; space–time variation; human activities; future changes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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