Quantitative impacts of climate change and human activities on grassland growth in Xinjiang, China

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1497248
• Publication Date: 2025-01-22T12:08:32Z
• Authors: Hanyi Rui; Beier Luo; Ying Wang; Lin Zhu; Qinyuan Zhu
• Keywords: climate change; human activities; NDVI; Xinjiang; Plant culture; Plant Science; grassland; SB1-1110

Grassland is an important vegetation type in Xinjiang, China, playing a crucial role the terrestrial carbon cycle. Previous studies have shown that both climate change and human activities significantly impact grassland growth. However, research quantifying contributions of these two factors to changes still not thorough enough. This study utilized remote sensing data, i.e., Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), analyze spatial trends from 1982 2015, correlation between NDVI factors. Then, relative were explored across Xinjiang. The results indicated there was significant heterogeneity interannual variations area, showing overall increasing trend (covering 62.5% area). mainly attributed warming humidifying Xinjiang’s recent decades, where increased precipitation rising temperatures promoted main regions with included western part Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, southern Tacheng northwestern Tarim Basin; while areas decreased located e.g., Ili River basin, Tekes basin. Compared precipitation, showed stronger temperature, which related temperature promoting organic matter decomposition enhancing nutrient utilization efficiency. negatively correlated VPD, due effects transpiration surface evaporation. In terms growth, (52%) contributed as much activity (48%). For reduction, played larger role. Overall, mountainous flat areas, more (64.29%) than (35.71%), including such grazing urbanization.