Combined Effects of Meteorological Factors, Terrain, and Greenhouse Gases on Vegetation Phenology in Arid Areas of Central Asia from 1982 to 2021

Ruikang Tian, Liang Liu, Jianghua Zheng (), Jianhao Li, Wanqiang Han and Yujia Liu
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Ruikang Tian: College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Liang Liu: College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Jianghua Zheng: College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Jianhao Li: College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Wanqiang Han: College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Yujia Liu: College of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: Spatiotemporal variations in Central Asian vegetation phenology provide insights into arid ecosystem behavior and its response to environmental cues. Nevertheless, comprehensive research on the integrated impact of meteorological factors (temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, saturation vapor pressure deficit), topography (slope, aspect, elevation), and greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) on the phenology of Central Asian vegetation remains insufficient. Utilizing methods such as partial correlation and structural equation modeling, this study delves into the direct and indirect influences of climate, topography, and greenhouse gases on the phenology of vegetation. The results reveal that the start of the season decreased by 0.239 days annually, the length of the season increased by 0.044 days annually, and the end of the season decreased by 0.125 days annually from 1982 to 2021 in the arid regions of Central Asia. Compared with topography and greenhouse gases, meteorological factors are the dominant environmental factors affecting interannual phenological changes. Temperature and vapor pressure deficits (VPD) have become the principal meteorological elements influencing interannual dynamic changes in vegetation phenology. Elevation and slope primarily regulate phenological variation by influencing the VPD and soil moisture, whereas aspect mainly affects the spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation phenology by influencing precipitation and temperature. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of how various environmental factors collectively influence the phenology of vegetation, thereby fostering a more profound exploration of the intricate response relationships of terrestrial ecosystems to environmental changes.

Keywords: structural equation modeling; climate; topography; vapor pressure deficit; vegetation phenology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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