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Identification of Key Drivers of Land Surface Temperature Within the Local Climate Zone Framework

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  • Yuan Feng

    (State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    International Union Laboratory of Landscape Architecture, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Guangzhao Wu

    (State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Shidong Ge

    (International Union Laboratory of Landscape Architecture, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450003, China)

  • Fei Feng

    (State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Pin Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

The surface urban heat island (SUHI) effect, driven by human activities and land cover changes, leads to elevated temperatures in urban areas, posing challenges to sustainability, public health, and environmental quality. While SUHI drivers at large scales are well-studied, finer-scale thermal variations remain underexplored. This study employed the Local Climate Zones (LCZs) framework to analyze land surface temperature (LST) dynamics in Zhengzhou, China. Using 2022 mean LST data derived from a single-channel algorithm, combined with field surveys and remote sensing techniques, we examined 30 potential driving factors spanning natural and anthropogenic conditions. Results show that built-type LCZs had higher average LSTs (31.10 °C) compared with non-built LCZs (28.91 °C), with non-built LCZs showing greater variability (10.48 °C vs. 6.76 °C). Among five major driving factor categories, landscape pattern indices dominated built-type LCZs, accounting for 44.5% of LST variation, while Tasseled Cap Transformation indices, particularly brightness, drove 42.8% of the variation in non-built-type LCZs. Partial dependence analysis revealed that wetness and landscape fragmentation reduce LST in built-type LCZs, whereas GDP, imperviousness, and landscape cohesion increase it. In non-built LCZs, population density, connectivity, and brightness raise LST, while wetness and atmospheric dryness provide cooling effects. These findings highlight the need for LCZ-specific SUHI mitigation strategies. Built-type LCZs require urban form optimization, enhanced landscape connectivity, and expanded green infrastructure to reduce heat accumulation. Non-built LCZs benefit from maintaining soil moisture, addressing atmospheric dryness, and optimizing vegetation configurations. This study provides actionable insights for sustainable thermal environment management and urban resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan Feng & Guangzhao Wu & Shidong Ge & Fei Feng & Pin Li, 2025. "Identification of Key Drivers of Land Surface Temperature Within the Local Climate Zone Framework," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:4:p:771-:d:1627804
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuan Feng & Kaihua Zhang & Ang Li & Yangyang Zhang & Kun Wang & Nan Guo & Ho Yi Wan & Xiaoyang Tan & Nalin Dong & Xin Xu & Ruizhen He & Bing Wang & Long Fan & Shidong Ge & Peihao Song, 2024. "Spatial and Seasonal Variation and the Driving Mechanism of the Thermal Effects of Urban Park Green Spaces in Zhengzhou, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-25, September.
    2. Lei Zhao & Xuhui Lee & Ronald B. Smith & Keith Oleson, 2014. "Strong contributions of local background climate to urban heat islands," Nature, Nature, vol. 511(7508), pages 216-219, July.
    3. Lingfei Shi & Feng Ling & Giles M. Foody & Zhen Yang & Xixi Liu & Yun Du, 2021. "Seasonal SUHI Analysis Using Local Climate Zone Classification: A Case Study of Wuhan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Fei Tao & Yuchen Hu & Guoan Tang & Tong Zhou, 2021. "Long-Term Evolution of the SUHI Footprint and Urban Expansion Based on a Temperature Attenuation Curve in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, July.
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