Analysis of desertification and the driving factors over the Loess Plateau

Abstract

Land desertification poses a severe global ecological threat. Loess Plateau, a typical region, was extensively studied. This study conducted a fitting analysis between the Vegetation Index: Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), kernel Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (kNDVI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Albedo. A holistic analytical methodology was established, encompassing desertification evaluation, spatiotemporal changes, intensity, driving mechanisms, and management zoning. The results indicate that NDVI and albedo exhibit the best fit with an R2 value of 0.72. Desertification primarily occurred in the northwest, displaying significant fluctuation. Climatic factors and human activities were the main drivers of Desertification Difference Index (DDI). Precipitation promoted DDI, while temperature inhibited it, and human activities primarily play a promoting role. Furthermore, management zones were delineated, encompassing ecological sensitive areas requiring urgent land protection, ecological restoration areas necessitating land management and restoration projects, ecological improvement areas and ecological stability areas aiming to maintain the existing ecological balance while concurrently strengthening monitoring.