Understanding and predicting land use changes is crucial for managing ecological environments and preserving species diversity. In this regard, a recent study has focused on the land use changes occurring on the Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “third pole of the world.” Given its extreme sensitivity to global climate change and unique physical geography, the Tibetan Plateau has become a significant area of research. The study aimed to estimate the land use changes on the plateau during different time periods, including the peak carbon period, the carbon neutral period, and the end of the 21st century, based on shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs).
During the base period (1995-2014), the Tibetan Plateau had approximately 14,000 km² of arable land, 349,000 km² of forest land, 1,853,000 km² of grassland, 0.3 km² of urban land, and 235,000 km² of bare land. Compared to this base period, the study projected a decrease in grassland area throughout the three future periods, while urban, forest, and bare land areas are expected to increase. By the end of the 21st century, grassland area is estimated to decrease by 6.1% to 21.7%, with woodland experiencing the largest increase, ranging from 21.2% to 72.8%.
This study sheds light on the potential land use changes that will impact the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding regions. It provides valuable insights into the ecological security barrier and the global implications of land use changes. The research has been published in the esteemed journal Science China Earth Sciences.
More information: Runhong Xu et al, Projected land use changes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at the carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets, Science China Earth Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11430-022-1077-y
Citation: Study estimates land use changes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (2023, June 21) retrieved 22 June 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2023-06-qinghai-tibet-plateau.html
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