Characteristics of Grassland Degradation in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, Based on NDVI3g Data

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-6362.2019.02.003

Abstract

Abstract:

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is an important ecological security barrier and animal husbandry base in China. Alpine grassland is the largest ecosystem in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, accounting for more than 60% of the total area of the plateau. In recent years, the alpine grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are experienced large area of degradation, which is restricting the ecological services of the plateau and the sustainable development of animal husbandry. To date, however, it is remaining unclear in the status of grassland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the degradation status was presented by the grassland degradation index, which was retrieved from vegetation coverage, based on NDVI3g data. The results showed that the current situation (2011-2013) of average grassland degradation index in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was 1.76, which indicated light degradation level. The area of degraded grassland reached 41% and has no change compared with the historical average (1986-2010), but the areas of moderate, severe, and extra severe degradation has been increased in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The areas of slight, moderate, severe, and extra severe degraded grassland were 22%, 8%, 6% and 5%, respectively during 2011 to 2013, while they reached 28% (slight), 7% (moderate), 4% (severe) and 1% (extra severe) during 1986 to 2010. The degradation index in alpine desert was 3.23 during 2011 to 2013, which reached an extremely degradation level. The degradation index in the alpine meadow and alpine grassland steppe were 1.49 and 1.57, respectively during 2011 to 2013, which were characterized as light degradation level. In the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the degraded area of grassland in Xinjiang reached 71%, higher than that in Qinghai and Tibet, which reached 42% and 41%, respectively. The degraded area of grassland in Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan were relatively small, reached 25%, 10% and 12%, respectively, in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. In summary, there exist spatiotemporal variations in grassland degradation in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. There is no significant change in current grassland degradation status compared with the historical average. However, in some regions on the plateau, i.e. alpine region, the grasslands showed a continuously degrading trend.

Key words: Grassland degradation, Degradation index, Grassland type, Different province, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

CAO Xu-juan，HASBAGAN Ganjurjav，HU Guo-zheng，GAO Qing-zhu. Characteristics of Grassland Degradation in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, Based on NDVI3g Data[J]. Chinese Journal of Agrometeorology, 2019, 40(02): 86-95.

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