Arid Zone Research ›› 2024, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (7): 1228-1237.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2024.07.14

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatiotemporal changes in the ecosystem carbon storage on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains and simulations based on the PLUS-InVEST model

ZHANG Shunxin(), WU Zihao, YAN Qingwu, LI Gui’e, MU Shouguo()   

  1. School of Public Policy & Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu, China
  • Received:2023-11-02 Revised:2024-06-17 Online:2024-07-15 Published:2024-08-01

Abstract:

As land use change is a critical factor affecting carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems, investigating the correlations between the two is of great significance for maintaining the regional carbon balance and achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Based on the Third Comprehensive Scientific Expedition of Xinjiang, this study analyzes the quantitative relationship between land use change and carbon storage on the northern slope of Tianshan Mountains in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. It also simulates the probable spatial distribution of regional carbon storage in 2030 under the three scenarios of historical trend, water resource conservation, and economic development by combining the PLUS and InVEST models. The findings revealed the following: (1) Grassland and barren constitute the main land cover types on the northern slope of Tianshan Mountains; the area of cropland, forest, construction land, and wetland, as well as water, increased between 1990 and 2020; cropland increased most significantly, while the others decreased, most considerably in grassland. (2) Carbon storage on the northern slope of Tianshan Mountains first enhanced and then declined from 1990 to 2020, with conversions among the grassland, barren, cropland, and forest being the primary drivers of alterations in total carbon storage. (3) The carbon storage under all three scenarios was lower than the 2020 level, with the most remarkable reduction in the economic development scenario. A decrease in grassland and an increase in barren are the leading causes of carbon loss.

Key words: land use change, carbon storage, PLUS model, InVEST model, northern slope of Tianshan Mountains