China has released its most detailed grassland vegetation map yet of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, offering new insights into ecological changes in the region known as the “roof of the world” and “Asia’s water tower.”
The map, developed at a scale of 1:500,000, was unveiled during an academic seminar on grassland vegetation mapping. Led by Professor Wang Yanfen from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the team combined field surveys with advanced technologies like multi-source remote sensing data and artificial intelligence.
“We identified 62 major grassland types, and the new map reveals significant changes in vegetation over the past 40 years,” said Professor Wang. One notable change is the increase in alpine meadows that prefer wet and cold conditions, which have grown from 50% to 69% of the grassland area. “This strongly confirms the ongoing trend of warming and wetting on the plateau,” she added.
The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau serves as a crucial ecological security barrier for China. Dominated by grasslands, its ecosystem is both fragile and highly sensitive to global climate change. Over the past five decades, intensified climate shifts and increased human activities have altered vegetation distribution patterns, making previous maps outdated.
The launch of a second scientific expedition on the plateau in 2017 provided an opportunity to update the grassland vegetation map. Experts believe the new map will play a significant role in climate adaptation strategies, sustainable development, and future research on the plateau’s ecosystem functions.
“By integrating environmental factors like terrain and hydrothermal conditions with plant characteristics, we’ve created a comprehensive picture of the region’s vegetation,” explained Professor Wang. The map is expected to aid in understanding and protecting the unique ecosystem of the plateau.
