Spatiotemporal Changes in Leaf Area and Carbon Sequestration of Terrestrial Vegetation in China over the Last Two Decades

Spatio-temporal change characteristic in leaf area index (LAI), gross primary productivity (GPP), total and carbon sequestration of terrestrial vegetation at different geographic regions, provinces land cover types over China during 2000–2018 were clarified, respectively. The net increase from 2000 to 2018 is 1.7491 × 106 km2 1957.36 TgC, Southwestern part contributes the most with a contribution 25.3% for 20.1% sequestration, overall northern enhanced capacity greater than that southern provinces, maximum Inner Mongolia, even though have much higher increase. annual rates LAI GPP returning cropland forest–grassland artificial restoration are self-rehabilitation rapid growth stage planted young vegetation. However, due has largest percentage 59%, it increases among types, except northeastern China, where improved farmland dominant factor. It should be noted exhibit upward trends urbanized areas China. whereas slight increasing negative also observed southwestern, southern, eastern (e.g., Shanghai), surface construction occupied more urbanization processing. Compared climatic factors, factor influencing since 2000, gradually weakened coupling relationship between north south. For dominantly affected by precipitation parts solar radiation parts.