The long-term trends (1982-2006) in vegetation greenness of the alpine ecosystem in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Environmental Earth Sciences
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
The increased rate of annual temperature in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau exceeded all other areas of the same latitude in recent decades. The influence of the warming climate on the alpine ecosystem of the plateau was distinct. An analysis of alpine vegetation under changes in climatic conditions was conducted in this study. This was done through an examination of vegetation greenness and its relationship with climate variability using the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer satellite imagery and climate datasets. Vegetation in the plateau experienced a positive trend in greenness, with 18.0 % of the vegetated areas exhibiting significantly positive trends, which were primarily located in the eastern and southwestern parts of the plateau. In grasslands, 25.8 % of meadows and 14.1 % of steppes exhibited significant upward trends. In contrast, the broadleaf forests experienced a trend of degradation. Temperature, particularly summer temperature, was the primary factor promoting the vegetation growth in the plateau. The wetter and warmer climate in the east contributed to the favorable conditions for vegetation. The alpine meadow was mostly sensitive to temperature, while the steppes were sensitive to both temperature and precipitation. Although a warming climate was expected to be beneficial to vegetation growth in the alpine region, the rising temperature coupled with reduced precipitation in the south did not favor vegetation growth due to low humidity and poor soil moisture conditions.
Suggested Citation
Zhang, L., Guo, H., Wang, C., Ji, L., Li, J., Wang, K., and Dai, L., 2014, The long-term trends (1982-2006) in vegetation greenness of the alpine ecosystem in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: Environmental Earth Sciences, v. 72, no. 6, p. 1827-1841, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3092-1.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | The long-term trends (1982-2006) in vegetation greenness of the alpine ecosystem in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau |
| Series title | Environmental Earth Sciences |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12665-014-3092-1 |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Publication Date | February 12, 2014 |
| Year Published | 2014 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Contributing office(s) | Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center |
| Description | 15 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Environmental Earth Sciences |
| First page | 1827 |
| Last page | 1841 |
| Country | China |
| Other Geospatial | Qinghai-tibetan Plateau |