Quantitative contribution of the Grain for Green Program to vegetation greening and its spatiotemporal variation across the Chinese Loess Plateau

• DOI: 10.1002/ldr.4269
• Publication Date: 2022-03-23T15:38:54Z
• Authors: Yi Song; Yunqiang Wang; Long Jin; Weiyu Shi; Jagannath Aryal; Alexis Comber
• Keywords: Loess plateau; Spatial heterogeneity; Trend analysis

Abstract A distinct greening trend is evident in Asia, especially on the Loess Plateau (LP) of China, which driven by climate change and large‐scale land‐use‐related ecological projects, 'Grain for Green Program' (GFGP). However, specific contributions GFGP to vegetation variation this a large spatiotemporal scale are not yet clear. We used long‐time‐series normalized difference index datasets based double mass curve method quantify projects LP. found that interannual fluctuation was likely related climate, precipitation. The increasing after 2005 indicated GFGP, as type external disturbance, began improve growth. failed initially make positive contribution first few years because drought conditions 1999 2005. increased precipitation played critical role enhancing output LP Then, quickly until 2013, it remained stable reached average values 58.8% ± 19.34% 31.7% 24.3% representative areas conducted other regions with lower implementation intensity respectively. Our results highlight has made due spatial heterogeneity their effect forest stand age.