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Spatiotemporal patterns of net regional productivity and its causes throughout Ordos, China

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Abstract

A comprehensive understanding of the terrestrial carbon sink is essential for proficient regional carbon management. However, previous studies predominantly relied on net ecosystem productivity (NEP) as an indicator of regional carbon sink, overlooking the impacts of carbon emissions from physical processes and carbon leakage associated with anthropogenic activities. In this study, net region productivity (NRP), a vital metric representing carbon sink dynamics in regional multi-landscape ecosystems, was employed to systematically analyze the patterns, trends, and causes of carbon sink in Ordos. The results revealed that spatially averaged NRP in Ordos was 70.334 g·m−2·a−1, indicating a carbon sink effect. The coefficient of variation of NRP was 68.035%, with a higher NRP in the southern region. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) predominantly controlled the spatial heterogeneity of NRP in Ordos, while precipitation emerged as the primary climatic factor influencing spatial differences in NRP. Regional variations in the impact of environmental factors on NRP were evident. In most areas, NRP showed a notable increasing trend influenced by various factors. Specifically, the simultaneous rise in NDVI and improvements in hydrothermal conditions contributed to the gradual elevation of NRP, each with varying degrees of influence across Ordos and its sub-regions.

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Funding

This research is funded by the general program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant number 42271435, and the Ordos City Landmark Team Project.

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  1. College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China

    Yurong Zheng, Shouhang Du, Wenbin Sun, Cui Feng & Qing Su

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  1. Yurong Zheng
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  2. Shouhang Du
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  3. Wenbin Sun
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  4. Cui Feng
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  5. Qing Su
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Contributions

Yurong Zheng’s contribution is conception, design, data collection, analysis, and writing; Shouhang Du’s contribution is conception, reviewing, and supervision; Wenbin Sun’s contribution is theory, guidance, and supervision; Cui Feng’s contribution is conception; Qing Su’s contribution is conception.

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Correspondence to Shouhang Du.

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Zheng, Y., Du, S., Sun, W. et al. Spatiotemporal patterns of net regional productivity and its causes throughout Ordos, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 22038–22054 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32368-0

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