Correlation between vegetation and environment at different levels in an arid, mountainous region of China

Abstract

Vegetation patterns and spatial organization are influenced by the changing environmental conditions and human activities. However, the effect of environment on vegetation at different vegetation classification levels has been unclear. We conducted an analysis to explore the relationship between environment and vegetation in the land use/land cover (LULC), vegetation group, vegetation type, and formation and subformation levels using redundancy analysis with seven landscape metrics and 33 environmental factors in the upper reaches of the Heihe River basin in an arid area of China to clarify this uncertainty. Atmospheric counter radiation was the most important factor at the four levels. The effect of soil was the second determinant factor at three levels

Spatiotemporal variations of vegetation and its determinants in the National Key Ecological Function Area on Loess Plateau between 2000 and 2015

“…The obvious increase in vegetation coverage in Yanchi has also been confirmed in previous research (Gao et al, 2017). The average NDVI in Yanchi had increased significantly with a rate of 52.92% from 2000 to 2015.…”

“…The average NDVI in Yanchi had increased significantly with a rate of 52.92% from 2000 to 2015. The obvious increase in vegetation coverage in Yanchi has also been confirmed in previous research (Gao et al, 2017). The stepwise regression showed that the proportion of rural laborers engaged in farming activities (p < 0.05) and afforestation area (p < 0.05) were significant driving factors ( Table 2).…”

“…At large scale, human activities usually refer to human disturbances, such as cultivation activities, road traffic, and urban land use (Gao et al, 2017). At large scale, human activities usually refer to human disturbances, such as cultivation activities, road traffic, and urban land use (Gao et al, 2017).…”

“…The spatiotemporal variation of vegetation is the result of interaction between climate factors and human activities. At large scale, human activities usually refer to human disturbances, such as cultivation activities, road traffic, and urban land use (Gao et al, 2017).…”

What prevails in climatic response of Pinus sylvestris in-between its range limits in mountains: slope aspect or elevation?

“…Vegetation cover is similar on both sites of the southern slope, including the undercover and grass, which indicates the similarity of environments (sf. Dorji et al 2014;Gao et al 2017); the presence of more drought-sensitive species (e.g. Abies sibirica, Rubus idaeus and Ribes rubrum) and the absence of the more xeric Spiraea media and Caragana arborescens on the northern slope indicates a higher moisture supply there than on the southern slope (cf.…”