1 Information and Research Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment, Ulaanbaatar 15160, Mongolia; 2 Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa University, Takamatsu 761-0396, Japan; 3 Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, Tottori 680-0001, Japan; 4 Japan Meteorological Business Support Center, Tokyo 101-0054, Japan
Topographical and hydrological effects on meso-scale vegetation in desert steppe, Mongolia
1 Information and Research Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment, Ulaanbaatar 15160, Mongolia; 2 Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa University, Takamatsu 761-0396, Japan; 3 Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, Tottori 680-0001, Japan; 4 Japan Meteorological Business Support Center, Tokyo 101-0054, Japan
摘要 This study investigated the seasonal variations of the normalized difference vegetation index
(NDVI) and its relationships with climatic variables and topography in a small-scale (20 km×20 km) area
(i.e., Tsogt-Ovoo village) within the desert steppe zone of Mongolia using in-situ observed climate data
and satellite remote sensing data. We found that the topography is very important for vegetation growth in
the desert steppe although the summer precipitation is the constraining factor. The unexpectedly high
NDVI (up to 0.56), as well as the high aboveground biomass, in the valley bottom was primarily resulted
from the topography-modulated redistribution of overland flow after relatively heavy precipitation events
during the growing season. This makes the valley bottoms in desert steppes not only reliable feeding
resources for livestock but also heavens for wild lives. But, the detected large standard deviation of annual
maximum NDVI (NDVImax) from 2000 to 2013 in the valley bottom in response to rather variable
precipitation implies that the valley bottoms under desert steppe climates are more vulnerable to climatic
change.
Abstract：
This study investigated the seasonal variations of the normalized difference vegetation index
(NDVI) and its relationships with climatic variables and topography in a small-scale (20 km×20 km) area
(i.e., Tsogt-Ovoo village) within the desert steppe zone of Mongolia using in-situ observed climate data
and satellite remote sensing data. We found that the topography is very important for vegetation growth in
the desert steppe although the summer precipitation is the constraining factor. The unexpectedly high
NDVI (up to 0.56), as well as the high aboveground biomass, in the valley bottom was primarily resulted
from the topography-modulated redistribution of overland flow after relatively heavy precipitation events
during the growing season. This makes the valley bottoms in desert steppes not only reliable feeding
resources for livestock but also heavens for wild lives. But, the detected large standard deviation of annual
maximum NDVI (NDVImax) from 2000 to 2013 in the valley bottom in response to rather variable
precipitation implies that the valley bottoms under desert steppe climates are more vulnerable to climatic
change.
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science RONPAKU Program
(MECS-11319), a Budget Request of Tottori University, and sponsored by special coordination funds from the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of the Japan.
Batdelger GANTSETSEG,Masahide ISHIZUKA,Yasunori KUROSAKI等. Topographical and hydrological effects on meso-scale vegetation in desert steppe, Mongolia[J]. Journal of Arid Land, 2017, 9(1): 132-142.
Batdelger GANTSETSEG,Masahide ISHIZUKA,Yasunori KUROSAKI et al. Topographical and hydrological effects on meso-scale vegetation in desert steppe, Mongolia[J]. Journal of Arid Land, 2017, 9(1): 132-142.
2017, Vol. 9 
