Spatiotemporal changes of land desertification sensitivity in northwest China from 2000 to 2017

Sensitivity assessment is useful for monitoring land desertification. Research into how to prevent and control desertification also important. In the arid region of northwest China, becoming worse a serious problem that affects local sustainable development. Based on remote-sensing geographic information system technology, this study establishes “soil-terrain-hydrology-climate-vegetation” sensitivity comprehensive evaluation reflect spatiotemporal changes desertification, proposes spatial distance model calculate index. The change characteristics in China are quantitatively assessed from 2000 2017. Moreover, main driving factors analyzed using geographical detector method. results show following. (1) Terrain, soil, climate, vegetation hydrology affect restrict each other, constitute background conditions distributions China. (2) Desertification generally displays low distribution characteristic periphery area high one interior. low-sensitivity regions mainly five major mountain ranges (Altai Mountains, Tianshan Kunlun Altun Mountains Qilian Mountains), while high-sensitivity such as Junggar Basin, Tarim Basin Inner Mongolia Plateau, well Taklimakan Desert, Badain Jaran Desert Tengger Desert. obviously regional, high- have clear boundaries concentrated distribution. (3) With regard evolution, since been predominantly stable, overall has displayed slowly decreasing trend, indicating potential annually some achievements made regional (4) Soil climate play direct role these found be most important influential factors. Vegetation active basic factor changing sensitivity. addition, topography restricting changes. Socio-economic rapid affecting sensitivity, their impacts tend gradually increasing. general, effectively controlled positive achieved control. However, against backdrop intensified global change, increasingly prominent human activities new normals socio-economic development, monitoring, still long way go.