干旱区研究

Arid Zone Research >

2025 , Vol. 42 >Issue 9: 1691 - 1702

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.13

Ecology and Environment

Different and driving factors of carbon sequestration capacity in primary and restored grasslands in China

  • LIU Han ,
  • GONG Yazhen ,
  • JIA Ce ,
  • LIU Shilei
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  • 1. School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China
    2. Zhijiang Institute of Big Data and Statistics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China
    3. Collaborative Innovation Center of Statisitical Data Engineering Technology & Application, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China
    4. School of Ecology & Environment, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100034, China
    5. Research Institute of Ecological Civilization, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100034, China
    6. School of Economics and Finance, Hohai University, Changzhou 213200, Jiangsu, China

Received date: 2024-11-11

  Revised date: 2025-03-05

  Online published: 2025-09-16

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Abstract

Net primary productivity (NPP) is an important indicator that reflects grassland growth and characterizes grassland carbon sequestration capacity. This article considers four provinces in northern China as research areas. Based on multisource data, such as NPP; terrain and land types; and socioeconomic and meteorological factors, the study analyzes spatiotemporal changes in the carbon sequestration capacity of primary and restored grasslands, explores key driving forces for improving their carbon sequestration capacity, and provides reference for China in formulating targeted grassland ecological policies. The results demonstrated that the carbon sequestration capacity of restored grasslands is approximately 80% higher than that of pristine grasslands. The spatial aggregation variation of carbon sequestration in pristine grasslands (ranging from 0.534 to 0.653) is slightly narrower than that in restored grasslands (ranging from 0.511 to 0.736). Rainfall, sunshine duration, and policies related to ecological conservation zones are common driving forces that enhance carbon sequestration in both types. The optimal conditions for enhancing carbon sequestration in grasslands are rainfall that reach 600 mm and annual sunshine duration that exceed 3000 h. Temperatures more than 8 ℃ are conducive to carbon sequestration in pristine grasslands, while the optimal area for restored grasslands ranges from 100 to 200 km2. Meteorological factors were the primary driving forces prior to the implementation of restoration policies; subsequently, however, the influence of policies began to intensify. The relevant departments should continue to formulate effective ecological restoration policies to help China achieve its dual carbon strategic goals as soon as possible.

Key words： arid regions; primary grasslands; restoration grasslands; carbon sequestration capability; random forest

Cite this article

LIU Han , GONG Yazhen , JIA Ce , LIU Shilei . Different and driving factors of carbon sequestration capacity in primary and restored grasslands in China[J]. Arid Zone Research, 2025 , 42(9) : 1691 -1702 . DOI: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.13

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