Spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological quality on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Drivers, trends, and implications for sustainable development

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is a vital ecological frontier undergoing significant environmental changes due to climate change and escalating human activity. This study examines the spatiotemporal trends of ecological quality across the QTP from 2000 to 2020 utilizing an integrated analytical framework that combines the Remote Sensing-based Ecological Index (RSEI), Sen-Mann-Kendall trend analysis, and decision tree classification. Our data indicate that 17.32 % of the plateau saw substantial ecological enhancement during the research period, especially in the eastern and northern parts. In contrast, only 2.70 % exhibited degradation, primarily in the southern portions. The temporal study revealed a transition towards ecological stabilization throughout the 2010–2020 timeframe in contrast to the more erratic 2000–2010 decade. Attribution study revealed that human activities were the primary catalyst of ecological change, influencing 8.42 % of the area, with predominantly positive effects observed in 82.86 % of human-affected regions, defying traditional beliefs regarding anthropogenic consequences in high-altitude ecosystems. Climate elements demonstrated intricate influences, with precipitation often improving ecological quality, whereas temperature effects transitioned from largely detrimental to more balanced over time. Examining land cover transitions revealed that grassland restoration is especially advantageous for ecological enhancement, with the conversion from bare land to grassland being the most substantial positive change. Our findings underscore the efficacy of ecological restoration initiatives while elucidating the regionally distinct relationships between climatic and anthropogenic factors. These findings highlight the necessity for geographically customized conservation programs that tackle particular regional issues and leverage proven restoration achievements. This research enhances our comprehension of biological dynamics in high-altitude habitats and establishes a scientific basis for the sustainable management of the QTP, a region of global ecological importance.