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

Author

Listed:
  • Xue Li

    (State Key Lab of Ecological Water Resources in Northwest Arid Zone, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
    Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, 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
    Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, 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
    Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, 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
    Key Laboratory of National Forestry Administration on Ecological Hydrology and Disaster Prevention in Arid Regions, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Xue Li & Kunxia Yu & Xiang Zhang & Guojun Zhang & Zhanbin Li & Peng Li & Xiaoming Zhang & Yang Zhao & Wentao Ma, 2023. "Spatial and Temporal Evolutionary Characteristics of Vegetation in Different Geomorphic Zones of Loess Plateau and Its Driving Factor Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:16:p:12200-:d:1213866
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Minjuan Lv & Zhiting Chen & Lingling Yao & Xiaohu Dang & Peng Li & Xiaoshu Cao, 2022. "Potential Zoning of Construction Land Consolidation in the Loess Plateau Based on the Evolution of Human–Land Relationship," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Lu Jia & Kunxia Yu & Zhanbin Li & Zongping Ren & Hongtao Li & Peng Li, 2023. "Identification of Vegetation Coverage Variation and Quantitative the Impact of Environmental Factors on Its Spatial Distribution in the Pisha Sandstone Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Weiyi Lu & Geer Teni & Huishi Du, 2024. "Vegetation–Lake–Sand Landscape of Northeast China Sandy Land between 1980 and 2022: Pattern, Evolution, and Driving Forces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-18, April.

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