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A topographic perspective on the distribution of degraded meadows and their changes on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, West China
Author(s) -
Li Xilai,
Gao Jay,
Zhang Jing
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/ldr.2952
Subject(s) - plateau (mathematics) , elevation (ballistics) , china , physical geography , terrain , geography , ecology , environmental science , cartography , biology , mathematical analysis , geometry , mathematics , archaeology
Meadow degradation is a serious environmental and ecological problem on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. A topographic perspective on the changes in the severity of meadow degradation can yield vital information on the effectiveness of rehabilitative measures and efforts. This study aims to reveal the topographic properties of degraded meadows in relation to those of the general terrain in the Qingzhen Township of southern Qinghai Province of China comparatively. After degraded meadows were mapped at 3 levels of severity from satellite images recorded in 1995, 2001, and 2015, the topographic features of degraded meadows, intact meadows, and the changes between them were explored in a geographic information system. It is found that degraded meadows increased by 528.07 ha (15.21%) during 1995–2001, but lost 1,495.67 ha (37.40%) during 2001–2015. The most and the least severely degraded meadows experienced a loss whereas moderately degraded meadows increased, with most changes taking place between adjoining levels of severity. Topographically, the changes in degradation severity bear a consistent relationship with elevation and slope gradient in that more severely degraded meadows are located at a lower elevation of a gentler slope. The changes from degraded to intact meadows take place at a lower elevation on a gentler slope, an outcome likely attributable to the rehabilitative efforts.