Publications
Monitoring Multi-Scale Ecological Change and Its Potential Drivers in the Economic Zone of the Tianshan Mountains’ Northern Slopes, Xinjiang, China
A recent study reveals that the ecological quality of the Urumqi-Changji-Shihezi metropolitan area on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains has significantly deteriorated compared to other regions, despite an overall rising trend in ecological quality across the region. The research used remote sensing data and geographic detectors to analyze land use changes and human disturbance impacts. Key findings include the expansion of built-up and agricultural lands at the expense of grasslands, increased human disturbance on glaciers, and a spatial pattern where ecological quality is highest in mountainous and agricultural areas but lowest in Gobi and desert regions. Surface temperature (LST) and vegetation index (NDVI) were identified as the most critical drivers of ecological change, with human interference playing a more significant role in built-up oasis areas. The study underscores the urgent need for strengthened ecological conservation efforts to mitigate the impacts of urban and agricultural land expansion.
Species niche and interspecific associations alter flora structure along a fertilization gradient in an alpine meadow of Tianshan Mountain, Xinjiang
A study on the Bayinbuluke alpine meadow in Xinjiang's Tianshan Mountains reveals that species niche breadth, overlap, and interspecific associations shift significantly along a fertilization gradient. Key findings include a decrease in species richness with increasing fertilization, while the importance of Festuca ovina and Poa annua rises under fertilization treatments. Niche width expands positively with critical values under fertilization, unlike controls, indicating altered competitive dynamics. Under low fertilization gradients, species exhibit positive correlations, suggesting cooperative interactions, whereas higher gradients show negative associations, pointing to increased competition. The research uses ecological statistics, variance ratio analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and association coefficient tests to explore these relationships, offering insights into the stable coexistence of populations under varying resource conditions.
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.
Monitoring the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Habitat Quality and Its Driving Factors Based on the Coupled NDVI-InVEST Model: A Case Study from the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China
Habitat quality (HQ) in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, has declined by 4.8% over two decades (1995–2015), with significant spatial variation and strong correlations to terrain gradients, soil types, land-use changes, precipitation, temperature, and grazing intensity. The study employed a coupled NDVI-InVEST model to improve HQ estimation accuracy, identifying the Ili River Valley and Kaidu River Basin as hotspots for biodiversity conservation. Protected areas play a crucial role in mitigating degradation, while interaction effects of influencing factors further emphasize the need for targeted ecological restoration strategies. These findings provide actionable insights for climate-resilient conservation planning in arid mountain ecosystems.
Small patches play a critical role in the connectivity of the Western Tianshan landscape, Xinjiang, China
Small forest patches, often overlooked in conservation efforts, play a critical role in maintaining landscape connectivity in the Western Tianshan region of Xinjiang, China. A study identified 13 critical and 14 important patches for connectivity, including seven small (<5 ha) patches and fifteen clusters that act as stepping stones between larger patches. These small patches are essential for species with limited dispersal distances and should be prioritized in conservation strategies to enhance biodiversity protection.
Spatiotemporal Evolution of Mountainous Ecosystem Services in an Arid Region and Its Influencing Factors: A Case Study of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang
A comprehensive analysis of the Tianshan Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Xinjiang, reveals that while habitat quality and carbon storage have remained stable over two decades, soil retention and water yield exhibit significant fluctuations. The study, conducted using InVEST and RUSLE models, highlights spatial synergies and trade-offs in ecosystem services (ESs), with hotspots covering 73% of the region, predominantly at middle to high altitudes. Land-use changes are the primary driver for habitat quality and carbon storage, whereas water yield is strongly influenced by annual precipitation. These findings offer critical insights for policymakers aiming to enhance ecosystem conservation and management in arid regions.
Spatiotemporal Variability in Water-Use Efficiency in Tianshan Mountains (Xinjiang, China) and the Influencing Factors
Water-use efficiency (WUE) in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China, has shown a decreasing trend from 2000 to 2020, primarily due to an increase in evapotranspiration (ET). Despite fluctuations, annual net primary productivity (NPP) and ET both increased over this period. The study found significant spatial heterogeneity in WUE, with temperature and wind speed positively influencing WUE in the middle and eastern regions, while precipitation enhanced WUE, particularly on the northern slope. Drought, as indicated by the temperature vegetation drought index (TVDI), also significantly impacted ecosystem WUE, with strong correlations observed between WUE and TVDI. These findings provide critical insights for water resource management and sustainable utilization in the region.
Mountain landscape health diagnosis and pattern evolution based on remote sensing: Case study in Xinjiang Tianshan Karajun-Kurdening
Over the past four decades, Xinjiang Tianshan's Karajun-Kurdening region has experienced significant landscape degradation, with severe shrinkage of ice-snow and water body landscapes, alongside a dramatic 62.54% annual expansion in bare land. Despite this, the overall landscape health has remained average since 1997, with northern areas showing better health than southern ones. The study introduces a novel remote sensing-based landscape health diagnosis system that integrates supervised classification, landscape pattern indices, and spatial interpolation techniques to assess ecological conditions in arid mountain regions. Validated using high-resolution UAV orthophoto images, this approach offers a robust method for monitoring and managing natural heritage sites, highlighting the need to prioritize protection efforts in scattered areas with poor or extremely poor health status.
Suitability evaluation for mountain-based adventure tourism: A case study of Xinjiang Tianshan, China
A spatial suitability evaluation system for mountain-based adventure tourism (MBAT) identified optimal regions within Xinjiang Tianshan, China, for different types of adventure tourism. The study, integrating AHP-Delphi techniques and quantified indicators in ArcGIS, revealed that the Kurdening and Tomur regions are most suitable for professional adventure tourism, while Tianshan Tianchi lake stands out for experiential adventure tourism. Mass adventure tourism is viable across vast middle to low-altitude areas of Tianshan. These findings offer critical insights for planning sustainable adventure tourism development, enhancing regional competitiveness, and guiding mountain communities in strategic tourism growth.
Triggering Mechanism of an Extreme Rainstorm Process near the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, an Arid Region in China, Based on a Numerical Simulation
A rare rainstorm event near the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China—a typically arid region—was triggered by complex atmospheric interactions, according to a numerical simulation study. The research revealed that cold air descending from the mountains interacted with warm southwest winds, creating an oblique updraft and facilitating moisture convergence. This process transported supercooled cloud water and ice particles to high altitudes, sustaining the storm system along a convergence line. The findings highlight how rare combinations of temperature, humidity, and airflow dynamics can produce extreme weather in arid environments.
Conservation Value of World Natural Heritage Sites’ Outstanding Universal Value via Multiple Techniques—Bogda, Xinjiang Tianshan
A new framework combining multiple techniques reveals significant spatial variation in the conservation status of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) at Bogda, part of Xinjiang Tianshan World Natural Heritage Site. Researchers developed a Heritage Value Protection Significance Index (HVPSI) and related indices to assess OUV conservation across 17 indicators, including integrity, vulnerability, sensitivity, human impact, and environmental factors. Spatial autocorrelation analysis identified distinct zones with varying heritage value protection levels. Field surveys confirmed differences in plant community composition and diversity between these zones, while a spatial-econometric model validated the partitioning approach. This study provides actionable insights for managing heritage sites and establishes a methodological foundation for future OUV assessments.
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