Spatiotemporal evolution and driving mechanisms of vegetation photosynthesis dynamics in the Loess Plateau based on optimal parameter-based geographical detector

ZHOU Lian; JIA Xia; ZHAO Yong-hua; ZHANG Peng; ZHAO Ming; SI Shao-cheng

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China Environmental Science ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (1) : 365-378.

Spatiotemporal evolution and driving mechanisms of vegetation photosynthesis dynamics in the Loess Plateau based on optimal parameter-based geographical detector

ZHOU Lian^1,2,3, JIA Xia^2,3,4, ZHAO Yong-hua^1,2,3, ZHANG Peng^1,2,3, ZHAO Ming^1,2,3, SI Shao-cheng^1,2,3

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Abstract

Based on the Global dataset of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (GOSIF) and the Optimal Parameters-based Geographical Detector (OPGD) model, systematically analyzed the spatio-temporal patterns and driving mechanisms of vegetation photosynthesis on the Loess Plateau (LP) and its six ecological subregions from 2002 to 2022. The results indicated that: (1) On the temporal scale, the annual mean SIF across the LP region demonstrated significant growth with spatial heterogeneity. The hilly-gully region (Subregion B2) showed the highest increase rate[0.0024W/(m²·μm·sr·a)], while sandy and irrigated agricultural areas displayed the lowest [0.0006W/(m²·μm·sr·a)]. (2) On the spatial scale, the spatial distribution of annual SIF on the LP was significantly different, Notable degradation was observed in localized areas, particularly within the high-plain-gully Subregion A1 (central Qinghai Province) and the Guanzhong Plain. 11.36% of the region (southern rocky mountain and valley plain areas) exhibited SIF changes that deviated from the regional trend. (3) Anthropogenic factors dominated human activities and climate change exerted dual influences on vegetation photosynthetic evolution, with the former acting as the dominant driver and the latter governing spatial divergence. Precipitation primarily regulated SIF variations in the high-plain-gully Subregion A1, while solar radiation dominated the evolution in Subregion A2, hilly-gully regions, and rocky mountain-valley plain areas. Factor interactions synergistically amplified SIF spatial heterogeneity.

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global dataset of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (GOSIF) / optimal parameters-based geographical detector / Loess Plateau / ecological regionalization / vegetation photosynthetic dynamics

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ZHOU Lian, JIA Xia, ZHAO Yong-hua, ZHANG Peng, ZHAO Ming, SI Shao-cheng. Spatiotemporal evolution and driving mechanisms of vegetation photosynthesis dynamics in the Loess Plateau based on optimal parameter-based geographical detector[J]. China Environmental Science. 2026, 46(1): 365-378

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