Trend of Vegetation and Environmental Factors and Their Feedback in the Karst Regions of Southwestern China

Abstract

Vegetation plays a vital role in the terrestrial ecosystem. Vegetation variations not only result from climatic and environmental change but also feed back to the climate through biogeochemical and biogeophysical processes. Previous studies have mainly focused on the influence of environmental factors on vegetation changes, but the interactions between vegetation and the prevalent environmental factors in the karst areas of southwestern China have been poorly understood. Based on remote sensing data, this study used trend analysis and Granger causality analysis to investigate vegetation trends, the driving factors, and their interactions during the period 2001 to 2021. In summary, we explored how these factors influenced vegetation growth and how vegetation changes fed back to produce ecosystems and environmental variations in southwestern China during this period. The results showed improvements in water conditions as well as a vegetation greening trend in most of the regions of southwestern China, together with a weakening trend of rocky desertification and an increasing trend of vegetation growth during the period. Both terrestrial water storage and vegetation growth in the energy-limited alpine regions are sensitive to temperature. Natural restoration is suggested in this area. Vegetation growth in the karst areas is sensitive to water stress-related variables due to the particular geological and soil characteristics. The bidirectional causality relationship between vegetation greening and the environment factors in many of these areas indicates that the vegetation changes can also significantly affect water balance and conditions. Ecological engineering projects are suggested in this area. The vegetation growth in the SC Basin, HN, HB, GD, and eastern GX is also sensitive to water stress, while these regions are vulnerable to waterlogging. This study helps to improve our understanding of ecosystem management and promote sustainable development in southwestern China.