Assessing the Vegetation Dynamics and Its Influencing Factors in Central Asia from 2001 to 2020

• DOI: 10.3390/rs15194670
• Publication Date: 2023-09-24T14:46:21Z
• Authors: Chao Gao; Xiaoli Ren; Lianlian Fan; Honglin He; Li Zhang; Xinyu Zhang; Yun Li; Na Zeng; Xiuzhi Chen
• Keywords: Enhanced vegetation index; Vegetation types

As vegetation plays a critical role in terrestrial ecosystems, understanding its status and variation is vital for preserving the stability of an ecosystem. Central Asia serves as representative example arid semi-arid region characterized by sparse poor soils, making particularly fragile sensitive. To investigate condition region, this study examined spatial temporal characteristics from 2001 to 2020, utilizing normalized difference index (NDVI) indicator. Meanwhile, trend analysis, Mann–Kendall abrupt change point test, geodetector, correlation analysis were used quantitatively analyze natural anthropogenic drivers these variations over past two decades. The results suggest that coverage was relatively low, with annual average NDVI 0.16 20 years. Moreover, distribution exhibited significant heterogeneity, declining north south east west. Furthermore, slightly increasing during period 2020 increased rate 0.00025/yr. However, we detected dynamics around 2010, which indicated shift region. Land-use type has great influence on heterogeneity Asia, can explain 46% Moisture factors such precipitation soil water content followed 35% 32% contributions, respectively. Regarding NDVI, it mainly driven fluctuation precipitation, degree varying different regions various geographical conditions. This offers more comprehensive insight into indicates driving NDVI. These findings are essential predicting changes under future environmental conditions formulating effective strategies prevent alleviate degradation.