Can remotely sensed vegetation patterns signal dryland restoration success?

Active restoration is frequently implemented to restore degraded drylands globally, yet predicting the overall success of these projects remains challenging. Here, we aim explore if vegetation spatial patterns can be used monitor ecosystem recovery and anticipate practices. We combined field surveys high-resolution drone images analyze how change after large-scale straw checkerboards in sand dune systems Tengger Desert northern China. found that cover, plant species richness, diversity increased rapidly, approaching level naturally vegetated dunes, 5 years restoration. Soil fertility remained low despite positive change. Along with process, a larger patch sizes (i.e. variance) an increasing proportion large-size patches. These patterns, constant rate are consistent theoretical predictions transitions alternative states. Although some indicators may masked by artificial planting scheme community succession process during recovery, our results show forecast possible drylands.