Vegetation restoration projects intensify intraregional water recycling processes in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Northern China

Abstract From 1998 to the present, Chinese government has implemented numerous large-scale ecological programs restore ecosystems and improve environmental protection in agro-pastoral ecotone of Northern China (APENC). However, it remains unclear how vegetation restoration modulates intraregional moisture cycles changes regional water balance. To fill this gap, we first investigated variation precipitation (P) from Meteorological Forcing Dataset evapotranspiration (ET) estimated using Priestly-Taylor Jet Propulsion Laboratory model under two scenarios: dynamic (DV) no (no-DV). We then used recycling analyze ratio (PRR). Finally, examined change cycle APENC. Results indicate P increased at an average rate 4.42 mm yr -2 1995 2015. ET with DV exhibited a significant increase 1.57, 3.58, 1.53, 1.84 four subregions, respectively, compared no-DV, annual mean PRR values were 10.15%, 9.30%, 11.01%, 12.76% increasing trends found APENC during 1995-2015. Further analysis shows that does not local directly, but indirect effect by enhancing process produce more PRR. Our findings show have positive on precipitation.