Finding Oasis Cold Island Footprints Based on a Logistic Model—A Case Study in the Ejina Oasis

Abstract

Oases play a crucial role in arid regions within the human–environmental system, holding significant ecological and biological importance. The Oasis Cold Island Effect (OCIE) represents a distinct climatic feature of oases and serves as a vital metric for assessing oasis ecosystems. Previous studies have overlooked the spatial extent of the Oasis Cold Island Effect (OCIE), specifically the boundary delineating areas influenced and unaffected by oases. This boundary is defined as the Oasis Cold Island Footprint (OCI FP). Utilizing Logistic modeling and MODIS data products, OCI FPs were calculated for the Ejina Oasis from 2000 to 2019. The assessment results underscore the accuracy and feasibility of the methodology, indicating its potential applicability to other oases. Spatial and temporal distributions of OCI FPs and the intensity of the Oasis Cold Island Effect Intensity (OCIEI) in the Ejina Oasis were analyzed, yielding the following findings: (1) OCI FP area and complexity were smallest in summer and largest in autumn. (2) Over the period 2000–2019, OCI FPs exhibited a pattern of increase, decrease, and subsequent increase. (3) OCIEI peaks in summer and reaches its lowest point in winter. Lastly, the study addresses current limitations and outlines future research objectives.