Applicability Analysis of Vegetation Condition and Dryness for Sand and Dust Storm (SDS) Risk Reduction in SDS Source and Receptor Region

Eunbeen Park,Cholho Song,Hyun-Woo Jo,Sea Jin Kim,Chul-Hee Lim,Sujong Lee,Woo-Kyun Lee,Sugyeong Park,Jiwon Kim

doi:10.3390/su12187256

Abstract

Central Asian countries, which are included the Mid-Latitude Region (MLR), need to develop regional adaptive strategies for reducing Sand and Dust Storm (SDS)-induced negative damages based on adequate information and data. To overcome current limitation about data and assessment approaches in this region, the macroscale verified methodologies were required. Therefore, this study analyzed environmental conditions based on the SDS impacts and regional differences of SDS sources and receptors to support regional SDS adaptation plans. This study aims to identify environmental conditions based on the phased SDS impact and regional differences of SDS source and receptor to support regional adaptation plans in MLR. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Aridity Index (AI), and SDS frequency were calculated based on satellite images and observed meteorological data. The relationship among SDS frequency, vegetation, and dryness was determined by performing statistical analysis. In order to reflect phased SDS impact and regional differences, SDS frequency was classified into five classes, and representative study areas were selected by dividing source and receptor in Central Asia and East Asia. The spatial analysis was performed to characterize the effect of phased SDS impact and regional distribution differences pattern of NDVI and AI. The result revealed that vegetation condition was negatively correlated with the SDS frequency, while dryness and the SDS frequency were positively correlated. In particular, the range of dryness and vegetation was related to the SDS frequency class and regional difference based on spatial analysis. Overall, the Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea can be considered as an active source of SDS in Central Asia, and the regions were likely to expand into potential SDS risk areas compared to East Asia. This study presents the possibility of potential SDS risk area using continuously monitored vegetation and dryness index, and aids in decision-making which prioritizes vegetation restoration to prevent SDS damages with the macrolevel approach in the MLR perspective.

Highlights

The Mid-Latitude Region (MLR) of northern hemisphere, which is roughly located between latitudes 30◦ and 60◦ N and includes arid and semiarid region, contains the strongly affected area by environmental and climate variability [1]
Statistical Analysis between Sand and Dust Storm (SDS), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Aridity Index (AI) To understand how the SDS frequency is related to vegetation and dryness, spatially distributed annual mTeaonunodf eNrsDtaVnId, AhoIw, atnhde SSDDSSffrreeqquueenncycyisdruelraitnegd tthoevecgheotsaetinon30anydeadrrsynweesrse, sppraotidaullyceddis(tFriibguutreed3)
This study identified the applicability of methodology to assess SDS in Central Asia by comparing in various ways the relationship between the MLR annual SDS frequency and the vegetation status and dryness

Summary

Introduction

The Mid-Latitude Region (MLR) of northern hemisphere, which is roughly located between latitudes 30◦ and 60◦ N and includes arid and semiarid region, contains the strongly affected area by environmental and climate variability [1]. Since some countries in MLR of Asia continent have insufficient adaptive capacity to deal with SDS impact, people who live in MLR have suffered from various issues such as loss of agricultural productivity, human health including respiratory problems, and loss of their settlements such as infrastructure [9,10,11,12]. In this perspective, the MLR needs proper assessment of SDS impact and the adaptive pathway or strategies to address these problems because it is directly linked to building sustainable environmental society

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Conclusion