Vegetation Dynamics and Recovery Potential in Arid and Semi-Arid Northwest China

Xiran Sui; Qiongling Xu; Hui Tao; Bin Zhu; Guangshuai Li; Zengxin Zhang

doi:10.3390/plants13233412

Plants (Dec 2024)

Vegetation Dynamics and Recovery Potential in Arid and Semi-Arid Northwest China

Xiran Sui,
Qiongling Xu,
Hui Tao,
Bin Zhu,
Guangshuai Li,
Zengxin Zhang

Affiliations

Xiran Sui: Joint Innovation Center for Modern Forestry Studies, College of Forestry and Grassland, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Qiongling Xu: Joint Innovation Center for Modern Forestry Studies, College of Forestry and Grassland, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Hui Tao: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Bin Zhu: Joint Innovation Center for Modern Forestry Studies, College of Forestry and Grassland, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Guangshuai Li: Joint Innovation Center for Modern Forestry Studies, College of Forestry and Grassland, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Zengxin Zhang: Joint Innovation Center for Modern Forestry Studies, College of Forestry and Grassland, College of Soil and Water Conservation, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233412
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 23
p. 3412

Abstract

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The arid and semi-arid regions of northwest China are characterized by sparse vegetation and fragile ecosystems, making them highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and human activities. Based on observed meteorological data, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Lund–Potsdam–Jena dynamic global vegetation model (LPJ), a vegetation recovery potential model, and the MK trend test method, this study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of vegetation recovery potential in northwest China and its relationship with global warming and increasing precipitation. The results indicated that vegetation in northwest China significantly increased, with greening closely related to trends in warming and wetting during 1982–2019. However, the vegetation recovery potential declined due to climate change. Central and southern Xinjiang and central Qinghai exhibited higher grassland recovery potential, while the central Gobi Desert areas of northwest China had lower recovery potential. The eastern part of northwest China was highly sensitive to drought, with moderate vegetation growth and recovery potential. Remote sensing data indicated a 2.3% increase in vegetation coverage in the region, with an average vegetation recovery potential index (IVCP) of 0.31. According to the results of LPJ model, the average vegetation recovery potential index for northwest China was 0.14, indicating a 1.1% improvement potential in vegetation coverage. Overall, climate warming and wetting facilitated vegetation recovery in northwest China, particularly in mountainous areas. The findings provide valuable insights for ecological restoration efforts and offer practical guidance for combating desertification and enhancing sustainable development. Moreover, these results underline the importance of incorporating vegetation recovery potential into regional policy-making to improve environmental resilience in the face of ongoing climate change.

Published in Plants

ISSN: 2223-7747 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Botany
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/plants

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