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Acta Geographica Sinica >

2025 , Vol. 80 >Issue 5: 1212 - 1225

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11821/dlxb202505004

Vegetation and Carbon Cycling

Spatio-temporal patterns of vegetation optical depth and its influencing factors over China

  • SHI Manqing , 1 ,
  • YANG Xiaoyu 1 ,
  • QIU Jianxiu , 1 ,
  • LUO Ming 1 ,
  • WANG Qianfeng 2 ,
  • WANG Dagang 1
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  • 1. School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
  • 2. College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China

Received date: 2023-10-31

  Revised date: 2025-04-15

  Online published: 2025-05-23

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Abstract

This study utilizes emerging hotspot analysis to explore the spatio-temporal trends of vegetation optical depth (VOD) observed in Ku, X, and C microwave bands over China from 2002 to 2017. Furthermore, it analyzes the impacts of anthropogenic activities, represented by land use change, on the spatial and temporal changes in VOD, and employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model to quantitatively assess the climatic effects on VOD changes. Overall, VOD exhibits a southeast-to-northwest gradient over China, with central and southern regions identified as VOD hotspots, while Xinjiang and the central Inner Mongolia Plateau are identified as VOD cold spots. Regions with consistent emerging hotspot analysis results across the three bands demonstrate a "greening" phenomenon in sparsely-vegetated regions nationwide. Additionally, the association between land use change and emerging hotspots reveals strong impacts of human activities on VOD variations. Specifically, persistent and intensified VOD hotspots predominantly correspond to scenarios where grassland is converted to forest. Attribution of VOD changes using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling indicates that, in the humid zone, where hydrothermal conditions are favorable and soil moisture is abundant, further increases in temperature and precipitation may inhibit vegetation growth. In contrast, in the arid zone, the inhibitory effect of temperature is less prominent. In the Tibetan Plateau, increases in both temperature and precipitation will promote vegetation growth. The insights from this study are expected to provide scientific support for monitoring ecosystem changes, uncovering their driving forces, and assessing the effectiveness of ecological measures.

Key words： vegetation optical depth; emerging hotspot analysis; Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model

Cite this article

SHI Manqing , YANG Xiaoyu , QIU Jianxiu , LUO Ming , WANG Qianfeng , WANG Dagang . Spatio-temporal patterns of vegetation optical depth and its influencing factors over China[J]. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2025 , 80(5) : 1212 -1225 . DOI: 10.11821/dlxb202505004

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