Evolution and Prediction of Landscape Patterns in the Qinghai Lake Basin

The Qinghai Lake Basin (QLB), located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, has a fragile ecological environment and is sensitive to global climate change. With the progress of societal and economic development, the tourism industry in the QLB has also developed rapidly, which is bound to result in great changes in landscape patterns. In this study, we first analyzed the change characteristics of landscape patterns in the QLB from 1990 to 2018, and we then used the Markov model and the future land use simulation (FLUS) model, combined with natural, social, and ecological factors, to predict the changes in the number and spatial distribution of landscape patterns in the period between 2026 and 2034. The results of the study show that desert areas have been greatly reduced and transformed into grasslands. The grassland area expanded from 49.22% in 1990 to 59.45% in 2018, corresponding to an increase of 10.23%. The direct cause of this result is the combined effects of natural and man-made factors, with the latter playing a leading role. As such, government decision-making is crucial. Lastly, we simulated the landscape patterns in the period from 2018 to 2034. The results show that in the next 16 years, the proportion of various landscapes will change little, and the spatial distribution will be stable. This research provides a reference for the formulation of ecological environment management and protection policies in the QLB.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the change characteristics of landscape patterns in the Qinghai Lake Basin from 1990 to 2018 and predicted the changes in the period between 2026 and 2034. The results showed an expansion of grassland area and reduction of desert areas, with man-made factors playing a leading role. Government decision-making was deemed crucial. The simulation for 2018 to 2034 indicated little change in the proportion of various landscapes and stable spatial distribution, providing a reference for ecological environment management and protection policies in the Qinghai Lake Basin.