Mapping rainfall interception for assessing ecological restoration sustainability in China

Abstract Ecological restoration (ER) programs play an important role in local and global climate change carbon management policy interventions. Water resource is a key criterion for assessing the sustainability of ERs. Herein, we explored spatiotemporal patterns rainfall interception (RI, component ecosystem water budgets), its drivers after ER implementation China. Further, assessed whether ERs are sustainable by analyzing trends RI supply. As expected, found that caused increase China from 2001 to 2018 (0.64 mm yr −1 , p < 0.01). Changes normalized difference vegetation index leaf area contributed higher compared with other drivers. The decrease was mainly recorded Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Southwest, northern North, southern Central Southern Conversely, increasing trend Loess Northwest, Northeast, East Moreover, not always unsustainable China, especially East, Southern, high-latitude regions North Even Plateau, which criticized previous studies, unsustainability occurred only semi-humid region. Future should be prioritized parts Eastern, Central, must appropriately considered Northeast It alert pressures on supply, demand remains vigilant semihumid areas Plateau. This study provides new ideas accurately evaluating impact security