The Multiple Impacts of Climate Change and Human Activities on Vegetation Dynamics in Yunnan Province, China

Anlan Feng, Zhenya Zhu, Xiudi Zhu (), Qiang Zhang (), Meng Wang, Hongqing Li, Ying Wang, Zhiming Wang, Peng Sun and Gang Wang
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Anlan Feng: Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Natural Disasters of Chinese Ministry of Education, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Zhenya Zhu: Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China
Xiudi Zhu: Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China
Qiang Zhang: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Wastewater Information Analysis and Early Warning, Advanced Interdisciplinary Institute of Environment and Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China
Meng Wang: Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China
Hongqing Li: Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute, Wuhan 430051, China
Ying Wang: Yunnan Dianzhong Water Diversion Engineering Co., Ltd., Kunming 650000, China
Zhiming Wang: Yunnan Dianzhong Water Diversion Engineering Co., Ltd., Kunming 650000, China
Peng Sun: School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 243002, China
Gang Wang: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Wastewater Information Analysis and Early Warning, Advanced Interdisciplinary Institute of Environment and Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-27

Abstract: Vegetation plays an important role in the hydrological cycle, carbon storage and regional climate. It provides multiple ecosystem services, regulates ecosystem structure and promotes the sustainable and stable development of the earth’s ecosystem. Under the interference of the ever-changing environment, vegetation vulnerability is increasingly evident. This study focuses on Yunnan Province, China, where we analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of NDVI at both provincial and municipal scales. Utilizing methods such as geographical detectors, time-lag analysis, and residual analysis, we identify key drivers of NDVI changes in Yunnan. From 2001 to 2023, the multi-year average NDVI in Yunnan decreases spatially from southwest to southeast, with the annual maximum NDVI increasing at a rate of 0.025 per decade. Qujing City exhibits the fastest NDVI growth, while Diqing City shows the slowest. Vegetation degradation is primarily concentrated in central Yunnan. The NDVI in Yunnan demonstrates significant spatial heterogeneity, influenced by a combination of climatic, topographic, and anthropogenic factors. The interaction between land use type and precipitation is identified as a key driver, explaining over 50% of the spatial distribution of NDVI. Approximately 83% and 82% of vegetated areas in Yunnan exhibit delayed responses to precipitation and temperature changes, respectively. Notably, 73% of the NDVI increase and 7% of the NDVI decrease in Yunnan were jointly affected by climate change and human activities, and positive contributions from these factors cover 92% and 90% of the area, respectively. The impact of human activities on vegetation is mainly positive, although urbanization in central Yunnan significantly inhibits NDVI. By elucidating key mechanisms, this work fosters balanced vegetation–environment synergies in Yunnan and supports the building of ecological safeguards in China.

Keywords: NDVI; climatic changes; human activities; drivers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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