Spatial-Temporal Evolution and Driving Forces of NDVI in China’s Giant Panda National Park

Abstract

Identifying the ecological evolution trends and vegetation driving mechanisms of giant panda national parks can help to improve the protection of giant panda habitats. Based on the research background of different geomorphological zoning, we selected the MODIS NDVI data from 2000 to 2020 to analyze the NDVI trends using a univariate linear model. A partial correlation analysis and multiple correlation analysis were used to reveal the influence of temperature and precipitation on NDVI trends. Fourteen factors related to meteorological factors, topographic factors, geological activities, and human activities were selected, and the Geographically Weighted Regression model was used to study the mechanisms driving NDVI change. The results were as follows: (1) The NDVI value of Giant Panda National Park has fluctuated and increased in the past 21 years, with an annual growth rate of 4.7%/yr. Affected by the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, the NDVI value fluctuated greatly from 2008 to 2012, and reached its peak in 2018. (2) The NDVI in 94% of the study area improved, and the most significant improvement areas were mainly distributed in the northern and southern regions of Southwest Subalpine and Middle Mountain and the Xiaoxiangling area. Affected by the distribution of fault zones and their local activities, vegetation degradation was concentrated in the Dujiangyan–Anzhou area of Hengduan Mountain Alpine Canyon. (3) The Geographically Weighted Regression analysis showed that natural factors were dominant, with climate and elevation having a double-factor enhancement effect, the peak acceleration of ground motion and fault zone having a superimposed effect, and river density and slope having a double effect, all of which had a significant impact on the NDVI value of the surrounding area. To optimize the ecological security pattern of the Giant Panda National Park, we recommended strengthening the construction of ecological security projects through monitoring meteorological changes, preventing, and controlling geo-hazards, and optimizing the layout and intensity of human activities.

Giant pandas are losing their edge: Population trend and distribution dynamic drivers of the giant panda

“…Although bamboo growth is positively related to precipitation and bamboo is the dominant food source for giant pandas (Pu et al, 2022), this influence of precipitation on bamboo weakens from north to south along the six mountains where pandas occur. In particular, bamboo growth is not highly influenced by precipitation in the Xiaoxiangling and Daxiangling Mountains, which are immediate to the north of the Liangshan Mountains (Pu et al, 2022). It is likely that there is sufficient bamboo to support the giant panda population, and if precipitation decreases, bamboo growth should be unaffected (Fei et al, 2016).…”