Elevation-Dependent Contribution of the Response and Sensitivity of Vegetation Greenness to Hydrothermal Conditions on the Grasslands of Tibet Plateau from 2000 to 2021

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Abstract
The interrelation between grassland vegetation greenness and hydrothermal conditions on the Tibetan Plateau demonstrates a significant correlation. However, understanding the spatial patterns and the degree of this correlation, especially in relation to minimum and maximum air temperatures across various vertical gradient zones of the Plateau, necessitates further examination. Utilizing the normalized difference phenology index (NDPI) and considering four distinct hydrothermal conditions (minimum, maximum, mean temperature, and precipitation) during the growing season, an analysis was conducted on the correlation of NDPI with hydrothermal conditions across plateau elevations from 2000 to 2021. Results indicate that the correlation between vegetation greenness and hydrothermal conditions on the Tibetan Plateau grasslands is spatially varied. There is a pronounced negative correlation of greenness to maximum temperature and precipitation in the northeastern plateau, while areas exhibit stronger positive correlations to mean temperature. Additionally, as elevation increases, the positive correlation and sensitivity of alpine grassland vegetation greenness to minimum temperature significantly intensify, contrary to the effects observed with maximum temperature. The correlations between greenness and mean temperature in relation to elevational changes primarily exhibit a unimodal pattern across the Tibetan Plateau. These findings emphasize that the correlation and sensitivity of grassland vegetation greenness to hydrothermal conditions are both elevation-dependent and spatially distinct.
Funding Information
  • National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFD1300500, 2021YFF0703904, 32130070, 31971769, 41771205, 42101372, CARS-34, 1610132021016, 121030900138-8)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (2021YFD1300500, 2021YFF0703904, 32130070, 31971769, 41771205, 42101372, CARS-34, 1610132021016, 121030900138-8)
  • Special Funding for the Modern Agricultural Technology System from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (2021YFD1300500, 2021YFF0703904, 32130070, 31971769, 41771205, 42101372, CARS-34, 1610132021016, 121030900138-8)
  • Fundamental Research Funds Central Non-profit Scientific Institution (2021YFD1300500, 2021YFF0703904, 32130070, 31971769, 41771205, 42101372, CARS-34, 1610132021016, 121030900138-8)
  • Institute of General and Experimental Biology SB RAS (2021YFD1300500, 2021YFF0703904, 32130070, 31971769, 41771205, 42101372, CARS-34, 1610132021016, 121030900138-8)

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