Identification of the key ecological factors influencing vegetation degradation in semi-arid agro-pastoral ecotone considering spatial scales

摘要: Abstract When assessing re-vegetation project performance and optimizing land management, identification of the key ecological factors inducing vegetation degradation has crucial implications. Rainfall, temperature, elevation, slope, aspect, use type, human disturbance are affecting status index. However, at different spatial scales, may vary. Using Helin County, Inner-Mongolia, China as study site combining remote sensing image interpretation, field surveying, mathematical methods, this assesses under scales in a semi-arid agro-pastoral ecotone. It indicates that various scales. Elevation, rainfall, temperature identified for all extents. rainfall small-scale quadrats 300 m × 300 m 600 m × 600 m, type medium-scale quadrat 1 km × 1 km, large-scale 2 km × 2 km 5 km × 5 km. For region, is not factor across necessary to consider scale determining characteristics. The eco-restoration programs should identify influencing according their so take effective measurements. new understanding obtained help explore forces which driving degraded regions world.