Increased sensitivity of greening to afforestation in China over the recent 20 years

Abstract

) to evaluate this effect. Comparing satellite-based land cover observations of 2003–2012 with 2010–2019, SGA in China increased by 1.03, 0.49, 3.3, and 2.46 (10−2 m2 m−2 %−1) for evergreen needleleaf, deciduous broadleaf, evergreen broadleaf, and mixed forests, respectively. This indicates greening (increasing LAI) becomes more sensitive to afforestation (increasing tree cover fraction), particularly in evergreen broadleaf forests. To explore possible eco-hydrothermal factors contributing to the observed SGA increase, a diagnostic framework synergizing atmospheric supply (precipitation and potential evaporation) and biological use (vegetation transpiration) of water and energy was constructed. The results suggest that an eased water-energy constraint mostly facilitates the observed SGA increase.