Arid Zone Research ›› 2024, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (12): 2083-2093.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2024.12.10

• Plant Ecology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Analysis of the influence of environmental conditions on the vegetation drought index in the Yellow River Basin

YANG Xiaojuan1,2(), HAN Lixin1,2(), LYU Chao1,2   

  1. 1. Shuifa Plannning & Design Limited Company, Jinan 250000, Shandong, China
    2. Shandong Lake Basin Management & Informationize Engineering Technology Research Center, Jinan 250000, Shandong, China
  • Received:2024-06-03 Revised:2024-10-16 Online:2024-12-15 Published:2024-12-20
  • Contact: HAN Lixin E-mail:sxwncc@126.com;308372367@qq.com

Abstract:

In this study, we aimed to clarify the spatial response of different vegetation drought indices to climate change in the Yellow River Basin. We selected the vegetation condition index (VCI), vegetation health index (VHI), and temperature vegetation drought index (TVDI), along with precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration data from 2003 to 2022. Using trend analysis, spatial path analysis, and multi-layer perceptron regression analysis, we examined the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of the three drought vegetation indices in the Yellow River Basin. Our findings reveal the direct, indirect, and overall effects of climatic factors on drought in the Yellow River Basin. The results show the following: (1) During the 20 years under study, VCI and VHI showed a fluctuating upward trend, while TVDI remained stable without significant increases or decreases. Spatially, the temperate-warm temperate boundary is delineated, revealing significant reductions in TVDI in the southeast and VHI in the northwest. (2) Precipitation has the strongest direct effect on VCI, while temperature exerts the most significant direct influence on TVDI. Additionally, the indirect effects of precipitation on TVDI and temperature on VHI are also substantial. TVDI is primarily inhibited by precipitation, while temperature predominantly enhances VCI and VHI. (3) The four drought indices exhibited a negative correlation with precipitation and temperature and a positive correlation with potential evapotranspiration. Potential evapotranspiration is the primary influencing factor for TVDI, while temperature is the main influencing factor for both VCI and VHI. Among these indices, the VHI is the most suitable for drought assessment in the Yellow River Basin. Our study offers a theoretical basis for vegetation drought assessment and management in the Yellow River Basin.

Key words: Yellow River Basin, drought, path analysis, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) regression analysis, vegetation condition index