The quantitative effects of climate change and human activity on the vegetation growth in the Yangtze River Basin

Abstract

Vegetation has changed dramatically in recent years as a result of various disturbances, but the factors influencing vegetation growth vary geographically. We looked into the impact of climate change and human activity on vegetation growth in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB). We characterized vegetation growth in the YRB using gross primary production (GPP) and the leaf area index (LAI), analyzed the relationship between vegetation growth and climate change using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), and quantified the relative contribution rate of climate change and human activity to vegetation growth in the YRB by using residual trend method. The findings revealed that: 1) From 2000 to 2018, the YRB showed an increasing trend of temperature (0.03°C yr−1) and precipitation (4.02 mm yr−1) and that the entire area was gradually becoming warmer and wetter; 2) Vegetation growth in the YRB showed a significant increasing trend (GPP: 7.83 g C m−2 yr−2, LAI: 0.02 years‐1). Among them, 87.40% of the YRB showed an increasing trend, primarily in the northern, eastern, and southern parts, while decreasing areas were primarily found in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and the YRB’s west region. 3) Vegetation had a significant positive correlation with SPEI in most areas of the YRB, and it was more sensitive to SPEI over a long time scale. The effects of climate change and human activity on vegetation growth in the YRB were spatially heterogeneous, and climate change was the primary driving factors of vegetation change in the YRB (accounting for 61.28%). A large number of grass were converted into forest, crop and urban. Overall, climate change and human activity promoted the growth of vegetation in the middle and upper reaches of YRB (MUYRB) while inhibited the growth of vegetation in the YRD. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the effects of climate change and human activity on vegetation growth in the YRB, as well as provide a scientific foundation for future ecological restoration in humid and semi-humid areas.

Vegetation–Lake–Sand Landscape of Northeast China Sandy Land between 1980 and 2022: Pattern, Evolution, and Driving Forces

“…From 1980 to 2022, the lake area of the DBSL decreased, and some vegetation areas near the lake group also experienced varying degrees of degradation. Guo et al [14] studied the interaction between vegetation area and water area changes near Taitema Lake and concluded that vegetation was highly sensitive to water area changes, with a significant decrease in vegetation area in dry years [57]. After the implementation of the ecological water conveyance project, water inflow into the lake increased significantly, and the vegetation area near the lake has generally increased.…”

“…They play an indispensable role in maintaining the ecological and environmental balance of arid and semi-arid areas [13]. The expansion and shrinkage of lakes affect regional vegetation habitats and determine the distribution pattern of sandy vegetation [14]. Lakes provide conditions for vegetation growth and survival and have an important impact on sand transport [15].…”

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Future Precipitation Changes in the Huaihe River Basin Based on the NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 Dataset and Monitoring Data

“…This poses a major challenge to food security in the region. Climate change also promotes vegetation growth in watersheds while inhibiting vegetation growth in other areas [19]. It affects land-use patterns, thereby affecting agricultural and industrial production outcomes in the Huaihe River Basin.…”