Abstract:
Based on MOD13Q1 data, the vegetation coverage in Hubei Province from 2001 to 2020 was computed by employing the pixel dichotomy model. On a global scale, in combination with geomorphic characteristics and ecological functional patterns, the province was partitioned into 6 regions: Qinling-daba Mountains, Wuling Mountains, Dabie Mountains, Mufu Mountains, North Hillock and Jianghan Plain. Utilizing methodologies such as Sen+Mann–Kendall analysis, R/S analysis, and the Hurst index facilitated an investigation into the spatiotemporal changes in vegetation coverage across Hubei Province and its 6 regions over the past 2 decades. The results showed that from 2001 to 2020, the trend of vegetation coverage in Hubei Province and 6 other regions, remained largely stable. In 2010, as a result of the influence of extreme weather conditions, the vegetation coverage throughout the province declined to its lowest level in 2 decades. The spatial distribution of vegetation coverage throughout Hubei Province displayed a pattern characterized by higher values in western areas compared to eastern ones; specifically high levels were found at margins while lower levels were concentrated centrally. The Qinling-daba Mountains and Wuling Mountains exhibited exceptionally high vegetation coverage; although all 4 remaining regions also exhibited relatively high values, there was still a notable disparity between Jianghan Plain's coverage and that of the other 5 regions. Overall spatial positive correlation was evident across all of the province's vegetative coverage with local spatial autocorrelation primarily manifesting as "high-high aggregation" alongside "low-low aggregation". Over the past 2 decades, the area of vegetation improvement in Hubei province constituted 10.47%, while the area experiencing degradation accounted for 8.67%. Notably, 80.88% of the region exhibited minimal change in vegetation coverage. The overall patterns of vegetation coverage across various regions were consistent with those observed at the provincial level; however, the Qinling-Daba Mountains demonstrated the highest proportion of vegetation improvement, comprising 14.97% of that region's total area. Conversely, the Jianghan Plain recorded the largest share of vegetation degradation, representing 18.09% within its boundaries. Looking ahead, it is anticipated that vegetation coverage in Hubei Province and 6 regions will remain relatively stable, without significant sustained increases or decreases on a large scale.