Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Freeze–Thaw Erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Freeze–thaw (FT) erosion, a significant yet understudied soil erosion type in cold regions, covers 1.61 million km² of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP), accounting for 61.33% of its total area. Moderate to strong erosion intensity affects 38.37% of this region, predominantly in high mountain and hilly areas of the Hoh Xil frozen soil region. The study, using analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-based weights and a comprehensive evaluation index method, identified 11 key influencing factors—meteorological, vegetation, topographic, geomorphological, and geological—to assess FT erosion intensity. Findings suggest that climate warming, humidification, and permafrost degradation may exacerbate FT erosion in the future, posing risks to the QTP's fragile ecological environment. This research provides critical insights for preventing erosion and guiding ecological restoration efforts.

Yang, Z., Ni, W., Niu, F., Li, L., & Ren, S. (2024). Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Freeze–Thaw Erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Remote Sensing, 16(9), 1629. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091629