Spatio-temporal pattern change of LULC and its response to climate in the Loess Plateau, China

Abstract

Abstract Exploring LULC change is essential for the sustainable development of ecologically fragile areas. This study is based on the transfer matrix and land use dynamicity, combined with the land use data and meteorological data of the LP from 1980 to 2020, to explore the spatio-temporal change characteristics of LULC and its response to climate in the LP. The results indicated that the overall change of LULC on the LP was characterized by a decrease in the area of cropland, grassland and bare land, and an increase in the area of woodland and build-up land, and the change trend had obvious stage change characteristics around 2000. The LULC change of the LP from 2000 to 2020 is more drastic than that from 1980 to 2020, and the comprehensive utilization degree increases. The impacts of climate change and human activities on LUCC on the Loess Plateau have regional differences. In the southeast agricultural region, LULC change is mainly affected by human activities, and the spatial distribution of LULC types is constantly adjusted by population growth and economic development. In the central region, the project of returning cropland to woodland and grassland has a great impact on LULC. In the northwest arid region, vegetation is sensitive to temperature and precipitation, and the LULC change impact of climate is significantly higher than that in the humid region.