Spatio-Temporal Changes in Water Use Efficiency and Its Driving Factors in Central Asia (2001–2021)

Although understanding the carbon and water cycles of dryland ecosystems in terms use efficiency (WUE) is important, WUE its driving mechanisms are less understood Central Asia. This study calculated Asian for 2001–2021 based on Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform analyzed spatial temporal variability using information entropy. The importance atmospheric factors, hydrological biological factors Asia was also explored a geographic detector. results show following: (1) average from 2.584–3.607 gCkg−1H2O, with weak inter-annual significant intra-annual distribution changes; (2) strong drivers, land surface temperature (LST) being strongest driver WUE, explaining 54.8% variation; (3) interaction can enhance effect by more than 60% between most vegetation which (TEM) cover (FVC) greatest, 68.1% change WUE. Furthermore, very low explanatory power (e.g., pressure (VAP), aerosol optical depth over (AOD), groundwater (GWS)) has enhancement effect. Vegetation an important link it to understand guide ecological restoration projects.