Seasonal variations of the dominant factors for spatial heterogeneity and time inconsistency of land surface temperature in an urban agglomeration of central China

Abstract

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is causing a series of environmental, energy and health problems. Studies on UHI are on the rise; however, some limitations still exist, such as the poor interaction of factors affecting land surface temperature (LST) and restriction of linear hypotheses from research method. To overcome these problems, we used geo-detector to measure the independent and interactive impacts on spatial heterogeneity of LST, and performed Spearman correlation, ordinary least-squares regression, all-subsets regression, and hierarchical partitioning analysis to explore the driving mechanism of time inconsistency of regional heat island (RHI). The results showed the most significant layers affecting spatial heterogeneity of LST in different seasons were landscape composition and biophysical parameters during daytime of relatively hotter seasons, climate conditions during winter daytime, climate conditions and biophysical parameters during nighttime, respectively. The wetlands proportion and albedo significantly influenced the time inconsistency of RHI between day and night. The dominant factors of time inconsistency of RHI between seasons were ΔNDVI, Δalbedo, Δalbedo, and Δsunshine duration during daytime, and Δsunshine duration, farmland proportion, Δair temperature, and forest land proportion during nighttime, respectively. These findings contribute to make scientific UHI adaptation strategies and promote sustainable development of cities and society.