Multi-decadal variation and driving factors of the alpine meadow landscape fragmentation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: A case study of Henan County

作者：Jiexia Li, Yan Shi, Min Zheng, Xilai Li, Jay Gao, Huakun Zhou, Qinxue Wang · 发表于：CATENA · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.catena.2025.109308 · 被引用次数：3 · 研究领域：Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology、Plant Ecology and Soil Science、Land Use and Ecosystem Services

The alpine meadow landscape on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is facing the threat of fragmentation. At present, there is a lack of understanding about its long-term evolution and the roles of multi-factors in this process. With the assistance of satellite images spanning over five decades, this study comprehensively assessed the trend of meadow fragmentation and quantified the importance of abiotic (climate and topography) and biotic factors (livestock and small mammal) at the county scale. Their explanatory rates were quantified using innovative analytical methods, filling our knowledge gap in understanding the synergistic effects of multiple factors on long-term meadow evolution. The results show that: (1) The area of bare meadow patches decreased by 12.95 % (65.24 km 2 to 56.79 km 2 ) during 1972–2019, and the average landscape fragmentation index was 3.36 in 2019, and rose from 1972 to 2007 and then stabilized; (2) Abiotic drivers played a dominant role in meadow fragmentation, achieving an explanation rate of 75.74 %, three times higher than biotic factors. In particular, annual average wind speed was the most important (R 2 = 0.69, P < 0.01) to the change in the area of bare meadow patches; Altitude had a mixed effect (intensified fragmentation at 3201–3300 m and 4101–4300 m, and alleviated it at 3401–3500 m and 3901–4000 m, due mainly to differential accessibility and hence disturbance). Shady slopes, steep slopes and bottomland were all hotspots of bare patches; and...