Modelling forest lines and forest distribution patterns with remote sensing data in a mountainous region of semi-arid central Asia

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Abstract

Satellite images and digital elevation models provide an excellent database to analyse forest distribution patterns and forest limits in the mountain regions of semi-arid Central Asia at the regional scale. For the investigation area in the northern Tien Shan a strong relation between forest distribution and climate conditions could be found. Additionally areas of potential human impact on forested areas are identified at lower elevations near the mountain border based on an analysis of the differences of climatic preconditions and present occurrence of forest stands. The distribution of spruce (Picea schrenkiana) forests is hydrologically limited by a minimum annual precipitation of 250mm and thermally by a minimum monthly mean temperature of 5 °C during the growing season. While the actual lower forest limit increases from 1600ma.s.l. in the northwest to 2600ma.s.l. in the southeast, the upper forest limit takes the same course from 1800 to 2900ma.s.l. In accordance with the main wind directions, the steepest gradient of both forest lines and the greatest lo15 cal vertical extent of the forest belt of 500 to 600m and maximum 900m occur at the northern and western mountain fronts. The forests in the investigation area are strongly restricted to north facing-slopes, which is a common feature in semi-arid Central Asia. Based on the presumption that variations in local climate conditions are a function of topography, the potential forest extent was analysed with regard to the parameters slope, aspect, solar radiation input and elevation. All four parameters showed a strong relationship to forest distribution, yielding a total potential forest area that is 3.5 times larger than the present forest remains of 502 km2.

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Klinge, M., Böhner, J., & Erasmi, S. (2014, October 13). Modelling forest lines and forest distribution patterns with remote sensing data in a mountainous region of semi-arid central Asia. Biogeosciences. Copernicus GmbH. https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-11-14667-2014

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