Vegetation degradation rampant in Southern TianShan Mountain, human activity to blame.
The study analyzed changes in vegetation types in the Middle Park of Southern TianShan Mountain from 2001 to 2007 using satellite data. Different methods were used to track changes in vegetation cover, showing significant seasonal variations and degradation in most areas. Some regions saw an increase in vegetation coverage. The ranking of vegetation degradation from highest to lowest was desert steppe, desert vegetation, steppe, high-mountain vegetation, cold high mountain steppe, meadow + swamp, evergreen broadleaf, and cropland. Human activities mainly affected vegetation in the plains, while climate change had a greater impact in mountainous areas.