New Map Reveals Vegetation Changes on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

A comprehensive new map detailing grassland vegetation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau has been released, utilizing a scale of 1:500,000. The map was created by a team led by Professor Wang Yanfen from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and was presented at an academic seminar focused on grassland vegetation mapping.

Experts at the seminar highlighted the map's accuracy in representing plant formation distributions. The map's creation involved field surveys and the use of multi-source remote sensing data. It is expected to be valuable for climate adaptation strategies, sustainable development initiatives, and future research into the plateau's ecosystem functions.

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, often referred to as the "roof of the world" and "Asia's water tower," is a crucial ecological safeguard for China. Its ecosystem is largely comprised of grasslands, which are known for their ecological fragility and sensitivity to global climate change.

Changes in vegetation distribution patterns have occurred over the past half-century due to climate change and increased human activity, making existing maps outdated. The second scientific expedition on the plateau, which began in 2017, provided the opportunity to update the grassland vegetation map.

The new map identifies 62 major grassland types. Compared to previous versions, it reveals significant vegetation changes over the past 40 years. For example, the proportion of alpine meadows, which thrive in wet and cold environments, has increased from 50 to 69 percent in the grasslands. This increase supports the observed warming and wetting trend on the plateau.

The research team employed a combination of in situ surveys, multi-temporal satellite remote sensing data, and artificial intelligence technology to create the map. This approach allowed for the integration of spectral, structural, and functional characteristics of plants, along with environmental factors such as terrain and hydrothermal conditions.