Vegetation Patterns Research Articles

Carbon Emissions and Vegetation Dynamics: Assessing the Spatiotemporal Environmental Impacts of Hydropower Dams in the Lancang River Basin

Recent decades in the Lancang River Basin have witnessed extensive construction of hydropower dams, profoundly impacting the local environment. Utilizing high-precision satellite data, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of vegetation cover and carbon emissions, integrating data-driven time series and spatial analysis models to capture both temporal and spatial dynamics. Our findings reveal that hydropower dam construction in the Lancang River Basin has significantly promoted vegetation restoration and growth, concurrently facilitating a reduction in regional carbon emissions. Employing deep learning models for time-series prediction, we observed a substantial increase in the sum of the local normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) post-construction, with an average rise of from 16.15% to a maximum of 20.12% during the pivotal hydropower dams’ operational phase. Between 2001 and 2020, the construction of hydropower dams in the basin corresponded to notable changes in ecological and carbon metrics. Specifically, vegetation cover expansion intensity (VCEI) reversed from a negative mean of −0.009 to a positive mean of 0.008. Additionally, the carbon emission intensity (CEI) around these dams drastically reduced, shifting from an average of 0.877 to 0.052. Importantly, the Global Moran’s I for VCEI significantly increased from 0.288 pre-2016 to 0.679 post-2015, reflecting a stronger spatial autocorrelation in vegetation patterns. Accordingly, these findings illustrate the complex interplay between hydropower dams and environmental outcomes, underscoring the critical role of pivotal hydropower dam construction in ecological improvement. The research results have improved and complemented those of previous studies on the environmental impact of hydraulic engineering, providing valuable insights for the construction management and policy formulation of hydropower dams in other similar river basins around the world.

Impacts of Wildlife Artificial Water Provisioning in an African Savannah Ecosystem: A Spatiotemporal Analysis

The use of artificial water points for wildlife in African savannah ecosystems has been widely criticised for affecting the distribution of wildlife and initiating changes in the heterogeneity of natural landscapes. We examined the spatiotemporal variations in the landscape before and after the installation of an artificial water point by integrating the analysis of vegetation and soil spectral response patterns with a supervised learning random forest model between 2002 and 2022 in Chobe Enclave, Northern Botswana. Our results revealed that the study area is characterised by animal species such as Equus quagga, Aepyceros melampus, and Loxodonta africana. The findings also showed that the main vegetation species in the study area landscape include Combretum elaeagnoides, Vachellia luederitzii, and Combretum hereroense. The artificial water point induced disturbances on a drought-vulnerable landscape which affected vegetation heterogeneity by degrading the historically dominant vegetation cover types such as Colophospermum mopane, Dichrostachys cinerea, and Cynodon dactylon. The immediate years following the artificial water point installation demonstrated the highest spectral response patterns by vegetation and soil features attributed to intense landscape disturbances due to abrupt high-density aggregation of wildlife around the water point. Landscapes were strongly homogenised in later years (2022), as shown by overly overlapping spectral patterns owing to an increase in dead plant-based material and senescent foliage due to vegetation toppling and trampling. The landscape disturbances disproportionately affected mopane-dominated woodlands compared to other vegetation species as indicated by statistically significant land cover change obtained from a random forest classification. The woodlands declined significantly (p < 0.05) within 0–0.5 km, 0.5–1 km, 1–5 km, and 5–10 km distances after the installation of the water point. The results of this study indicate that continuous nonstrategic and uninformed use of artificial water points for wildlife will trigger ecological alterations in savannah ecosystems.

Interactions of cross-diffusion and nonlocal delay induce spatial vegetation patterning in semi-arid environments

Interactions of cross-diffusion and nonlocal delay induce spatial vegetation patterning in semi-arid environments

The intake of solid fat and cheese may be associated with a reduced risk of Helicobacter pylori infection status: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES 1999–2000

BackgroundDiet plays an important role in Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, and our objective was to investigate potential connections between dietary patterns, specific food groups, and HP infection status in U.S. adults.MethodsThe data for this study was obtained from the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Survey) database for the year 1999–2000. This cross-sectional study involved the selection of adults aged 20 years and older who had undergone dietary surveys and HP testing. Factor analysis was employed to identify dietary patterns, and logistic regression models were utilized to assess the association between these dietary patterns and specific food groups with HP infection status.ResultBased on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, our final analysis included 2,952 individuals. The median age of participants was 51.0 years, and 48.7% were male. In the study population, the overall prevalence of HP infection was 44.9%. Factor analysis revealed three distinct dietary patterns: High-fat and high-sugar pattern (including solid fats, refined grains, cheese, and added sugars); Vegetarian pattern (comprising fruits, juices, and whole grains); Healthy pattern (encompassing vegetables, nuts and seeds, and oils). Adjusted results showed that the high-fat and high-sugar pattern (OR = 0.689, 95% CI: 0.688–0.690), vegetarian pattern (OR = 0.802, 95% CI: 0.801–0.803), and healthy pattern (OR = 0.717, 95% CI: 0.716–0.718) were all linked to a lower likelihood of HP infection. Further analysis of the high-fat and high-sugar pattern revealed that solid fats (OR = 0.717, 95% CI: 0.716–0.718) and cheese (OR = 0.863, 95% CI: 0.862–0.864) were protective factors against HP infection, while refined grains (OR = 1.045, 95% CI: 1.044–1.046) and added sugars (OR = 1.014, 95% CI: 1.013–1.015) were identified as risk factors for HP infection.ConclusionBoth the Vegetarian pattern and the Healthy pattern are associated with a reduced risk of HP infection. Interestingly, the High-fat and High-sugar pattern, which is initially considered a risk factor for HP infection when the score is low, becomes a protective factor as the intake increases. Within this pattern, animal foods like solid fats and cheese play a protective role, while the consumption of refined grains and added sugars increases the likelihood of HP infection.

Refined Analysis of Vegetation Phenology Changes and Driving Forces in High Latitude Altitude Regions of the Northern Hemisphere: Insights from High Temporal Resolution MODIS Products

The vegetation patterns in high-latitude and high-altitude regions (HLAR) of the Northern Hemisphere are undergoing significant changes due to the combined effects of global warming and human activities, leading to increased uncertainties in vegetation phenological assessment. However, previous studies on vegetation phenological changes often relied on long-term time series of remote sensing products for evaluation and lacked comprehensive analysis of driving factors. In this study, we utilized high temporal resolution seamless MODIS products (MODIS-NDVISDC and MODIS-EVI2SDC) to assess the vegetation phenological changes in High-Latitude-Altitude Regions (HLAR) of the Northern Hemisphere. We quantified the differences in vegetation phenology among different land-use types and determined the main driving factors behind vegetation phenological changes. The results showed that the length of the growing season (LOS) derived from MODIS-NDVISDC was 8.9 days longer than that derived from MODIS-EVI2SDC, with an earlier start of the growing season (SOS) by 1.5 days and a later end of the growing season (EOS) by 7.4 days. Among different vegetation types, deciduous needleleaf forests exhibited the fastest LOS extension (p < 0.01), while croplands showed the fastest LOS reduction (p < 0.05). Regarding land-use transitions, the conversion of built-up land to forest and grassland had the longest LOS. In expanding agricultural areas, the LOS of land converted from built-up land to cropland was significantly higher than that of other land conversions. We analyzed human activities and found that as the human footprint gradient increased, the LOS showed a decreasing trend. Among the climate-related factors, the dominant response of phenology to temperature was the strongest in the vegetation greening period. During the vegetation browning period, the temperature control was weakened, and the control of radiation and precipitation was enhanced, accounting for 20–30% of the area, respectively. Finally, we supplement and prove that the highest contributions to vegetation greening in the Northern Hemisphere occurred during the SOS period (May–June) and the EOS period (October). Our study provides a theoretical basis for vegetation phenological assessment under global change. It also offers new insights for land resource management and planning in high-latitude and high-altitude regions.

Satellite Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Mineral Maps of Australia Unmixed of Their Green and Dry Vegetation Components: Implications for Mapping (Paleo) Sediment Erosion–Transport–Deposition Processes

The 2012 satellite ASTER geoscience maps of Australia were designed to provide public, web-accessible, and spatially comprehensive surface mineralogy for improved mapping and solutions to geoscience challenges. However, a number of the 2012 products were clearly compromised by variable green and/or dry vegetation cover. Here, we show a strategy to first estimate and then unmix the contributions of both these vegetation components to leave, as residual, the target surface mineralogy. The success of this unmixing process is validated by (i) visual suppression/removal of the regional climate and/or local fire-scar vegetation patterns; and (ii) pixel values more closely matching field sample data. In this process, we also found that the 2012 spectral indices used to gauge the AlOH content, AlOH composition, and water content can be improved. The updated (new indices and vegetation unmixed) maps reveal new geoscience information, including: (i) regional “wet” and “dry” zones that appear to express “deep” geological characters often expressed through thick regolith cover, with one zone over the Yilgarn Craton spatially anti-correlated with Archaean gold deposits; (ii) a ~1000 km wide circular feature over the Lake Eyre region defined by a rim of abundant “muscovite” that appears to coincide with opal deposits; (iii) a N–S zonation across the western half of the continent defined by abundant muscovite in the south and kaolinite in the north, which appears to reflect opposing E ↔ W aeolian sediment transport directions across the high-pressure belt; (iv) various paleo-drainage networks, including those over aeolian sand covered the “lowlands” of the Canning Basin, which are characterized by low AlOH content, as well as those over eroding “uplands”, such as the Yilgarn Craton, which have complicated compositional patterns; and (v) a chronological history of Miocene barrier shorelines, back-beach lagoons, and alluvial fans across the Eucla Basin, which, to date, had proved elusive to map using other techniques, with potential implications for heavy mineral sand exploration. Here, we explore the latter three issues.

Predictions & perceptions: A social-ecological analysis of human-carnivore conflict in Botswana

Human-carnivore conflict in agrarian landscapes poses a significant threat to both large carnivore populations and human livelihoods. Conservation strategies aimed at mitigating conflict often rely primarily on ecological, landscape-scale factors. However, assessing the influence of microhabitat, as well as local variation in human perceptions, can offer valuable insights into the spatial patterns of human-carnivore conflict. The objectives of this study were to identify landscape predictors of livestock depredation risk, characterize microhabitat vegetation patterns at kill sites, and assess the spatial alignment between ecologically-predicted and human-perceived depredation risk. Through use of predation risk modeling, microhabitat pattern analysis, and participatory mapping exercises, we provide insight into the spatial patterns of livestock depredation risk from a multi-carnivore guild in an agrarian landscape located in the Makgadikgadi region of Botswana. We identified 170 depredation events and conducted 63 participatory mapping exercises across community lands situated between two wildlife protected areas. Results indicated anthropogenic landscape variables as the primary drivers of general depredation risk. Notably, distinct spatial patterns emerged between African lion (Panthera leo) and African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) depredation, underscoring the need for species-specific conservation strategies. Microhabitat analysis indicated a preference for lower vegetation cover within the multi-predator guild, suggesting livestock microhabitat risk-mitigation behaviors outweigh predator hunting strategies. While human perceptions generally aligned with ecologically predicted risk, identified divergences emphasize the importance of tailored conflict mitigation strategies to accommodate varying influences. Overall, the findings advocate for species-specific depredation risk analyses and the inclusion of human perceptions for a comprehensive spatial understanding of livestock depredation risk.

UAV-based modelling of vegetation recovery under extreme habitat stresses in the water level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir on the upper Yangtze River has remarkably altered hydrological regime within the dammed reaches, triggering structural and functional changes of the riparian ecosystem. Up to date, how vegetation recovers in response to compound habitat stresses in the water level fluctuation zone remains inexplicitly understood. In this study, plant above-ground biomass (AGB) in a selected water level fluctuation zone was quantified to depict its spatial and temporal pattern using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived multispectral images and screened empirical models. The contributions of multiple habitat stressors in governing vegetation recovery dynamics along the environmental gradient were further explored. Screened random forest models indicated relatively higher accuracy in AGB estimation, with R2 being 0.68, 0.79 and 0.62 during the sprouting, growth, and mature periods, respectively. AGB displayed a significant linear increasing trend along the elevational gradient during the sprouting and early growth period, while it showed an inverted U-shaped pattern during late growth and mature period. Flooding duration, magnitude and timing were found to exert greater negative effects on plant sprouting and biomass accumulation and acted as decisive factors in governing the elevation-dependent pattern of AGB. Localized spatial variations in AGB were modulated by other stressors such as sediment burial, soil erosion, soil moisture and nutrient content. Occurrence of episodic summer floods and vegetation distribution were responsible for an inverted U-shaped pattern of AGB during the late growth and mature period. Generally, AGB reached its peak in August, thereafter an obvious decline by an unprecedent dry-hot climatic event. The water level fluctuations with cumulative flooding effects exerted substantial control on AGB temporal dynamics, while climatic condition played a secondary role. Herein, further restorative efforts need to be directed to screening suitable species, maintaining favorable soil condition, and improving vegetation pattern to balance the many trade-offs.

Environmental Studies Based on Lake Sediment Records in China: A Review

Lake sediment records are of great importance for understanding the evolution of watershed environments. Various studies have been carried out to determine the depositional ages of lake sediments and to examine their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The aim is to construct the historical vegetation, environment, and climate patterns in Chinese lake watersheds. In this review, we obtained relevant studies on lake sediment records by searching the key word ‘age-depth’ from the following databases: Web of Science and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, the largest Chinese academic database). We analyzed the literature based on its type (published in a Chinese/English journal or as a Master’s/PhD thesis), period of publication, journal (if published in a journal), key authors, study area, dating scale, and main aims. The results suggest that the lakes in the plateau regions are the most popular research topic, typically covering 100–200 years (short-term) and 500–30,000 years (long-term). The literature focuses on a wide range of topics, from past environmental evolution in watersheds to lake ecology, and it provides a solid foundation for a better understanding of the regional climate change and the preservation of lake environments and ecosystems. In the future, the resulting data obtained from environmental reconstructions with lake sediments will need to be integrated with emerging information processing technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence and meta-analysis) to disentangle the complex interplay between the Earth’s surface processes and global climate change; furthermore, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration will deepen our comprehension of the man-land relationship and promote the sustainable management of lake ecosystems in the context of global climate change.

Interior Bowers

I know a rural bedroom with a paper representing a trellis and Noisette roses climbing over it; the carpet is shades of green without any pattern, and has only a narrow border of Noisette roses; the bouquets, powdered on the chintzs, match, and outside the window a spreading bush of the same dear old-fashioned rose blooms three parts of the year. That is a bower indeed, as well as a bedroom (Barker, 1878, p. 11). In Bedroom and Boudoir (1878) Lady Barker describes a number of bedrooms and boudoirs furnished with ornamental linings derived from the natural landscape. As the most private, internal and intimate interior spaces in the Victorian home, such spaces are likened to bowers - clearings in the forest, retreats or nests. Surrounded by surfaces composed of vegetal patterns and colours, the boudoir shows signs of reclaiming vestiges of the outside, not as the manicured garden or the cultivated landscape, but as foreign wilderness. Barker’s remarks critique the notion of the interior as tectonically distinct from the exterior. In contrast, the room is shown to be derivative of the exterior through its use of ornament, furnishings and linings. This paper examines the relationship between boudoir and bower as established by Lady Barker. It then traces the physical description through theoretical positions of the time on the relation of ornament and nature, in order to position the boudoir as an interior space of decorative and tactile envelopment.

Paleopalynological Analysis of Primulaceae Family Evolution during the New Holocene Period in Elbasan, Albania

This paper presents pioneering paleopalynological data concerning the Primulaceae family during the New Holocene period in Elbasan, Albania. Fossil pollen data were extracted from soil deposits dating back to the last 20th centuries, shedding light on the evolutionary trajectory of Primulaceae Family plants in the region. Soil samples, primarily weighing approximately 0.5 kg and retrieved from depths ranging from 4 m to the surface, were collected at five stations in the Elbasan area using a dry rotary drilling probe between October and November 2023. The study aims to unveil the evolutionary dynamics of Primulaceae plants during the New Holocene, offering novel insights into their paleoenvironmental interactions. The Holocene epoch marks a critical period characterized by significant shifts in climate and ecological conditions. Understanding plant evolution during this era provides valuable insights into environmental dynamics and human impact on vegetation. A total of 485 Primulaceae palynomorphs were identified across all analysed soil samples, indicating consistent presence throughout the New Holocene period. The abundance and distribution of Primulaceae pollen suggests enduring resilience and adaptation within the local ecosystem. Furthermore, the study highlights a significant correlation between changes in vegetation patterns and human cultivation practices, underscoring anthropogenic influences on regional flora dynamics. The prevalence of Primulaceae palynomorphs across soil layers underscores the plants adaptability to varying environmental conditions. Human activities, particularly cultivation practices, emerge as key drivers shaping vegetation dynamics in the Elbasan region. The consistent presence of Primulaceae palynomorphs underscores their resilience amidst changing environmental dynamics. Human intervention emerges as a significant determinant of regional vegetation patterns, highlighting the intertwined relationship between human activities and plant evolution.

Vegetation pattern and topography determine erosion characteristics in a semi‐arid sandstone hillslope‐gully system

AbstractThe hillslope‐gully system serves as the primary contributor to both runoff and sediment yield. The WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) model is often applied to investigate erosion characteristics at hillslope scale, demonstrating a high level of accuracy in simulating water erosion. In this study, according to in situ field monitoring (2014–2020) at a Pisha sandstone hillslope on the Loess Plateau, China, a total of 50 rainfall events’ data were used as climatic data to calibrate the soil parameters, and 11 different vegetation patterns and four slope gradients of hillslope‐gully systems were installed as inputs for the management and slope data, respectively. In systems A, B, C and D, the hillslope gradients were defined as 5°, 8°, 10° and 12° and the gully gradients as 15°, 20°, 25° and 30°, respectively. The results showed that the steeper the slope, the more severe the erosion. However, there was a critical value for the effect of slope on runoff. When the slope exceeded 8° and the gully exceeded 20°, the runoff no longer increased further and even decreased. The reduction in runoff in hillslope‐gully systems was in the following order (in mm): system D (3.4 ± 0.14) > system C (3.4 ± 0.14) > system B (3.39 ± 0.14) > system A (3.12 ± 0.13). Increasing vegetation cover could reduce erosion. Differences in runoff between vegetation patterns were not significant (p > 0.05) and ranged from 8% to 26%. However, there were significant differences in the sediment yield reduction benefits of different vegetation patterns (p < 0.05), ranging from 17% to 66%. It was observed that vegetation located in the lower slope produced a more pronounced effect in mitigating sediment when the degree of cover was the same. We conclude that implementing watershed management strategies based on the vegetation and topographic attributes of hillslope‐gully systems within the Loess Plateau, especially on Pisha sandstone hillslopes, serves as the fundamental approach to achieving sustainable watershed management.

Combustion Completeness and Sample Location Determine Wildfire Ash Leachate Chemistry

AbstractUnderstanding past fire regimes and how they vary with climate, human activity, and vegetation patterns is fundamental to the mitigation and management of changing fire regimes as anthropogenic climate change progresses. Ash‐derived trace elements and pyrogenic biomarkers from speleothems have recently been shown to record past fire activity in speleothems from both Australia and North America. This calls for an empirical study of ash geochemistry to aid the interpretation of speleothem palaeofire proxy records. Here we present analyses of leached ashes collected following fires in southwest and southeast Australia. We include a suite of inorganic elemental data from the water‐soluble fraction of ash as well as a selection of organic analytes (pyrogenic lipid biomarkers). We also present elemental data from leachates of soils collected from sites in southwest Australia. We demonstrate that the water‐soluble fraction of ash differs from the water‐soluble fraction of soils, with trace and minor element concentrations in ash leachates varying with combustion completeness (burn severity) and sample location. Changes in some lipid biomarker concentrations extracted from ashes may reflect burn severity. Our results contribute to building a process‐based understanding of how speleothem geochemistry may record fire frequency and severity, and suggest that more research is needed to understand the transport pathways for the inclusion of pyrogenic biomarkers in speleothems. Our results also demonstrate that potential contaminant loads from ashes are much higher than from soils, with implications for the management of karst catchments, which are a critical water resource.

Advancements in remote sensing for invasive plant mapping along the Guadiana River: The role of CNN2D

Remote sensing images are crucial for finding spatial and temporal patterns in vegetation. The Guadiana river (located in South West Spain) has been invaded since the early 2000s by floating aquatic plants with rapid reproductive capacity, causing negative effects to the ecosystem. In this study, we advance our previous work by employing a two-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN2D) which integrates both spectral and spatial information of each pixel. This approach marks a significant improvement over our prior use of one-dimensional CNN (CNN1D) that relied solely on spectral data. The performance of the CNN2D in detecting invasive aquatic plants is demonstrated to be superior, particularly due to its ability to analyze spectral–spatial features. Our experimental results highlight the enhanced efficacy in invasive plant detection when spatial context is considered alongside spectral information.

Response of soil microorganisms to soil fertility in the process of vegetation rehabilitation of degraded Pinus massoniana forest

AbstractThe rehabilitation of diverse and three‐dimensional forest vegetation patterns is crucial for preventing forest degradation and improving soil fertility. However, the relationship between soil microbial community and soil fertility was not clear. To accurately assess the capability of vegetation restoration measures on the real impact on degraded soil ecosystems. We selected three vegetation rehabilitation models of degraded Pinus massoniana forests in typical soil erosion areas in China as the research objects, with untreated bare land as the control. All three vegetation construction patterns increased the abundance and diversity of soil bacteria and fungi, thereby enhancing the stability of the soil ecosystem. Additionally, the vegetation rehabilitation models also altered the community structure of soil bacteria and fungi in the degraded P. massoniana forests. The pH and soil fertility index (IFI) were the main factors leading to variations in the community structure of the soil bacteria and fungi. Among them, the grass‐planting model showed a significantly greater improvement in the soil fertility of degraded P. massoniana forests than the shrub‐planting and arbor‐planting models. Furthermore, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Glomeromycota exhibited the most significant response to IFI, indicating their potential as indicator microorganisms for soil fertility changes. The improvement in soil fertility in degraded P. massoniana forests was influenced primarily by the increase in urease activity (S‐UE) according to the vegetation rehabilitation models (84.20%, p = 0.000). In conclusion, the grass‐planting system effectively improved the soil ecosystem quality of degraded P. massoniana forests in southern erosion‐prone areas of China and was suitable for further application.

Multiple sources forcing driving changes in spatial patterns of coastal wetland vegetation

Multiple sources forcing driving changes in spatial patterns of coastal wetland vegetation

Geospatial Insights into Greece’s Desertification Vulnerability: A Composite Indicator Approach

The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Index (ESAI) is a comprehensive tool for assessing the susceptibility of areas to desertification. This index analyzes various parameters that are vital for environmental health. Through this index, factors such as human activities, geology, soil quality, vegetation and climate patterns are scrutinized. The analysis assigns weights to each participating factor. Thus, the index is derived from the aggregation of four categories (vegetation, climate, soil quality and management practices), and each of them is independently assessed to understand ecological health. In this way, the level of vulnerability to desertification is effectively measured. The application of the index in Greece (for a period of 20 years, 1984–2004) showed signs of environmental degradation and identified many areas with a high risk of desertification. Notably, there was a substantial increase in cultivated land within rural areas, contributing to shifts in the environmental landscape. Furthermore, this period is distinguished as the driest in the last century, with a peak between 1988 and 1993. The consequential rise in irrigation demand, driven by the simultaneous growth of crops and the intensification of agricultural practices, underscores the intricate interplay between human activities and environmental vulnerability.

Research on Pattern Dynamics Behavior of a Fractional Vegetation-Water Model in Arid Flat Environment

In order to stop and reverse land degradation and curb the loss of biodiversity, the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development proposes to combat desertification. In this paper, a fractional vegetation–water model in an arid flat environment is studied. The pattern behavior of the fractional model is much more complex than that of the integer order. We study the stability and Turing instability of the system, as well as the Hopf bifurcation of fractional order α, and obtain the Turing region in the parameter space. According to the amplitude equation, different types of stationary mode discoveries can be obtained, including point patterns and strip patterns. Finally, the results of the numerical simulation and theoretical analysis are consistent. We find some novel fractal patterns of the fractional vegetation–water model in an arid flat environment. When the diffusion coefficient, d, changes and other parameters remain unchanged, the pattern structure changes from stripes to spots. When the fractional order parameter, β, changes, and other parameters remain unchanged, the pattern structure becomes more stable and is not easy to destroy. The research results can provide new ideas for the prevention and control of desertification vegetation patterns.

The Spatiotemporal Variation Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Green Vegetation in China

Green vegetation is one of the main objects of ecological environment restoration and protection, objectively reflecting the quality of regional ecological environments. Studying its spatial distribution characteristics is of great significance to the formulation of ecological environment restoration policies. Based on data on urban green vegetation in China from 2000 to 2022, this study attempts to analyze the destruction and protection patterns of urban green vegetation in China from the perspectives of total changes in green vegetation contraction and growth and spatial evolution characteristics and trends, and it explores the driving factors affecting the change in green vegetation area. The results show the following: (1) Green vegetation growth and contraction occurred alternately in China from 2000 to 2022. Vegetation contraction showed a “point–line–plane” evolution pattern, forming a contraction stage of point-like aggregation, linear series, and planar spread. Vegetation growth has always presented a frontal pattern. (2) The growth and contraction of green vegetation in China showed a north–south differentiation phenomenon. The vegetation contraction phenomenon spread in the Central Plains urban agglomeration and its surrounding areas and showed an expanding trend. The growth trend is obviously moving northward, mainly concentrated in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, Xinjiang, and other northern provinces, which also coincides with the key ecological restoration policies in northern China in recent years. (3) City scale, economic level, population scale, agro-industrial structure, and water resources content have significant effects on the spatial distribution of green vegetation.

Detection and Attribution of Vegetation Dynamics in the Yellow River Basin Based on Long-Term Kernel NDVI Data

Detecting and attributing vegetation variations in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is vital for adjusting ecological restoration strategies to address the possible threats posed by changing environments. On the basis of the kernel normalized difference vegetation index (kNDVI) and key climate drivers (precipitation (PRE), temperature (TEM), solar radiation (SR), and potential evapotranspiration (PET)) in the basin during the period from 1982 to 2022, we utilized the multivariate statistical approach to analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation dynamics, identified the key climate variables, and discerned the respective impacts of climate change (CC) and human activities (HA) on these variations. Our analysis revealed a widespread greening trend across 93.1% of the YRB, with 83.2% exhibiting significant increases in kNDVI (p < 0.05). Conversely, 6.9% of vegetated areas displayed a browning trend, particularly concentrated in the alpine and urban areas. With the Hurst index of kNDVI exceeding 0.5 in 97.5% of vegetated areas, the YRB tends to be extensively greened in the future. Climate variability emerges as a pivotal determinant shaping diverse spatial and temporal vegetation patterns, with PRE exerting dominance in 41.9% of vegetated areas, followed by TEM (35.4%), SR (13%), and PET (9.7%). Spatially, increased PRE significantly enhanced vegetation growth in arid zones, while TEM and SR controlled vegetation variations in alpine areas and non-water-limited areas such as irrigation zones. Vegetation dynamics in the YRB were driven by a combination of CC and HA, with relative contributions of 55.8% and 44.2%, respectively, suggesting that long-term CC is the dominant force. Specifically, climate change contributed to the vegetation greening seen in the alpine region and southeastern part of the basin, and human-induced factors benefited vegetation growth on the Loess Plateau (LP) while inhibiting growth in urban and alpine pastoral areas. These findings provide critical insights that inform the formulation and adaptation of ecological conservation strategies in the basin, thereby enhancing resilience to changing environmental conditions.