Spatial and temporal evolutionary characteristics of landscape ecological risks and their drivers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The changes in landscape ecological risk (LER) of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) profoundly affect the ecological environment of China and the world. We measured the evolution of the LER level and its driving factors through the past 40 years using meteorological data, population density information, and land use data acquired through remote sensing monitoring techniques spanning the years 1980 to 2020. Several key findings were derived: (1) The overall LER of the QTP was at a medium level during 1980-2020, with a fluctuating but decreasing overall trend. (2) Between 1980 and 2020, the spatial distribution of LER in the QTP was high in the west and low in the east; the LER level of the six provinces (districts) showed an overall decrease. (3) During 2000-2020, the LER of the QTP was influenced by a complex mechanism of action. The interactions between different influencing factors were mainly non-linear reinforcement and two-factor reinforcement, and factor interaction significantly enhanced the effect on LER. The findings are of significance for the prevention, control, and management of LER in the QTP.

Automated summary

Over the past 40 years, the landscape ecological risk (LER) of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been at a medium level with a fluctuating but decreasing trend. The western region of the plateau has higher LER compared to the eastern region. The findings are of significant importance for the prevention, control, and management of LER in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.