Analysis of vegetation spatial distribution characteristics in Northwest China’s arid desert area

Zhao Yang ,Mingxin Wang

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202126001013

Abstract

It is of great significance to study the characteristics of vegetation distribution in desert area for restoring vegetation, stabilizing ecosystem and ecological restoration in mining area. Taking the small watershed in Northwest China’s arid desert area where the typical open-pit coal mine is located as the study area, using GF-2 (Gaofen-2 satellite) images, calculating the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) results of the study area, extracting NDVI>0 as the vegetation cover area and combing with DEM (Digital Elevation Model), we analyse the relationship between vegetation distribution and slope aspect and water flow path. We conclude that in the natural state, the proportion of vegetation distribution on semi-sunny slope and shady slope in the study area is 74.8%, the proportion of sunny slope in the total area of the study area is 33.1%, and the proportion of vegetation distribution on this slope is only 11.9%, indicating that semi-sunny slope and shady slope are more suitable for growth in the study area. In the upper reaches of the basin, which is less affected by human activities, natural vegetation is distributed in strips along the flow path; In the mining area, which is obviously affected by human activities, the vegetation distribution characteristics change significantly with vegetation mainly distributed in the office area and being artificial greening.

Highlights

As the second largest energy in the world, coal plays an important role in China's energy supply
The above shows that vegetation in the arid desert area of the Northwest China is more suitable to grow on shady slopes than on sunny slopes
Based on the usage of GF-2 remote sensing image and the analysis of the spatial distribution characteristics of vegetation in typical watershed of coal mining area in arid desert area of Northwest China, the following conclusions can be drawn: Vegetation in the study area is mainly distributed on semi-sunny slope and shady slope, accounting for 74.8% of the area

Summary

Introduction

As the second largest energy in the world, coal plays an important role in China's energy supply. Located in the arid desert region of Northwest China, Wuhai City has a large-scale national coal base, but is one of the key construction areas of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. Studying the spatial vegetation distribution pattern under coal mining activities in this area has important scientific guiding significance for maintaining the regional ecological balance and restoring the ecological environment. The GF-2 remote sensing satellite, independently developed by China, is the first civilian optical remote sensing satellite with a spatial resolution better than 1m It has the characteristics of high spatial resolution, high radiation accuracy, high positioning accuracy and is currently widely used in national land resource surveys, soil moisture content monitoring and ecological environment monitoring, etc[3,4,5]. The results are of great significance for guiding vegetation restoration and stabilizing ecosystem in mining areas

Overview of the study area

Results and analysis

Discuss

Conclusion