Different remote sensing indicators reveal the transitions of two states along elevation gradients within the Xinjiang Tianshan Bogda Natural World Heritage Site

Researchers identified two distinct ecosystem states—temperate deserts and montane steppes—and their transition zones along elevation gradients within the Xinjiang Tianshan Bogda Natural World Heritage Site. Using remote sensing indicators (NDVI, FVC, and LST) alongside frequency analysis and Akaike information criterion (AIC), they quantified the shift between these states, revealing a critical transition range around 1066 meters. Potential energy analysis further validated this finding, showing that montane steppes dominate above 1094 meters while temperate deserts prevail below 1060 meters, with coexistence in between. The study introduces multi-stable state theory and potential energy modeling to heritage site research, offering a scientific foundation for protecting and restoring degraded steppe ecosystems in alpine regions.

Wan, H., Guo, P., Luo, L., Zhao, Y., Zhao, Y., & Wang, X. (2022). Different remote sensing indicators reveal the transitions of two states along elevation gradients within the Xinjiang Tianshan Bogda Natural World Heritage Site. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 111, 102842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2022.102842