Vulnerability assessment and its driving forces in terms of NDVI and GPP over the Loess Plateau, China

With the impact of climate change and implementation “Grain-for-Green” ecological restoration project, dynamics water heat transport storage in Loess Plateau (LP) have changed substantially. However, studies on vulnerability LP ecosystem response to are less concerned. Based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) gross primary production (GPP), this study assessed spatial (EV) during 2001–2019. Results showed that (1) annual mean NDVI GPP was high southeast low northwest. The trend presented a significant upward over approximately 85% regions; (2) displayed low-to-high gradient from Medium (0.3–0.45) heavy (?0.45) levels occurred northwest LP, which attributed serious land degradation; (3) forestland has lowest whereas grassland, sparse urban exhibited higher vulnerability, with respective percentages vulnerable areas 63.8%, 90.4%, 70% terms 87.1%, 49.8%, 38.4% GPP; (4) EV impacted by terrain. magnitude negatively correlated precipitation, temperature slope, positively drought. It is suggested slope drought stress were dominant factors EV. findings provide guidance for appropriate planning LP. • Achieving rapid assessment GPP. Ecological an increasing Climate topography had noticeable effects vulnerability. Providing