Abstract ID: 3.13772 | Accepted as Poster | Poster | TBA | TBA

Background: This study addresses the degradation of shrub ecosystems and emphasizes the essential role that shrubs play within ecological systems. The use of advanced technological methods to swiftly and accurately capture information on shrub disturbances is crucial for preserving ecological security. Methods: Utilizing the LandTrendr temporal segmentation algorithm on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform, and grounded in land cover data,we conducted dynamic monitoring of shrubland changes across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 1990 to 2022. Results: From 1990 to 2022, shrub disturbances in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau covered a total area of 372.23 km², primarily concentrated in the eastern and southeastern regions, with an overall decreasing trend observed. In 1991 and 2008, disturbance areas were notably larger, accounting for 12.1% and 9.5% of the total disturbed area, respectively, while in 2006, the disturbance area was minimal, comprising only 1.1% of the total. The duration of shrub disturbances predominantly spanned 1 to 2 years, covering approximately 80% of the total disturbed area. Pixel-scale validation indicated an overall accuracy of 96%, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.93. User’s accuracy for each year surpassed 80%, and producer’s accuracy was above 70%. Conclusions: Using the LandTrendr algorithm, this study analyzed shrub disturbance occurrences and affected areas across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau over a 32-year period. Incorporating contextual data, the study identified climate, topography, and grazing as primary factors driving shrub disturbances. This research offers valuable scientific evidence and methodological references for monitoring large-scale shrub dynamics.