The change of hydrological variables and its effects on vegetation in Central Asia

Abstract Water is an important factor that affects local ecological environments, especially in drylands. The hydrological cycle and vegetation dynamics Central Asia (CA) have been severely affected by climate change. In this study, we employed data from Gravity Recovery Climate Experiment (GRACE), Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS), Evaporation Amsterdam Model, Research Unit to analyze the spatiotemporal changes factors (terrestrial water storage (TWS), evapotranspiration, precipitation, groundwater) CA 2003 2015. Additionally, influence of variables on were analyzed. results showed declining rates GRACE-TWS change, GLDAS-TWS change GW 0.40 mm/year, 0.11 50.46 mm/year ( p < 0.05), 8.38 41.18 respectively. Human activity (e.g., groundwater pumping) was dominant determining decline CA. Precipitation dominated 0.05). 2- 3-month lagging signal has do with transportation ground surface groundwater. normalized difference index (NDVI) 2015 indicated slight degradation highlighted terrestrial storage, soil moisture make contributions effect precipitation growth spring significant while summer autumn higher than precipitation.