Improved Vegetation Ecological Quality of the Three-North Shelterbelt Project Region of China during 2000–2020 as Evidenced from Multiple Remotely Sensed Indicators

Evaluation of the long-term effect ecosystem recovery projects is critical for future ecological management and sustainable development. The Three-North Shelterbelt (TNS) a large-scale afforestation project in crucial region China. Numerous researchers have evaluated vegetation quality (VEQ) TNS using single indicator. However, ecosystems are complex need to be through various indicators. We constructed index (VEQI) by downscaling net primary productivity, leaf area index, fractional cover, land surface temperature, moisture, water use efficiency vegetation. spatiotemporal characteristics main contributing factors VEQ from 2000 2020 were investigated SEN+Mann−Kendall, Hurst exponent, geographical detector, residual trend analysis testing. results suggest that showed an improving over 21-year study period. areas with significant improvements concentrated central eastern parts TNS. Significant deterioration occurred only sporadically urban areas. Characteristics unsustainable trends could detected across Precipitation, type, soil elevation, solar radiation exhibited greatest impact on throughout Human activities (e.g., government investments) dominant had relative contribution 65.24% change. Our provide clues assessing environmental development other regions.