Modelling forest lines and forest distribution patterns with remote sensing data in a mountainous region of semi-arid Central Asia
Klinge, M.
Böhner, J.
Erasmi, S.
11, 10: 14667 - 14698
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-11-14667-2014
Persistent URL: http://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gldocs-11858/6679
Persistent URL: http://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gldocs-11858/6679
Klinge, M.; Böhner, J.; Erasmi, S., 2014: Modelling forest lines and forest distribution patterns with remote sensing data in a mountainous region of semi-arid Central Asia. In: Biogeosciences Discussions, Band 11, 10: 14667 - 14698, DOI: 10.5194/bgd-11-14667-2014.
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Satellite images and digital elevation models provide
an excellent database to analyze forest distribution patterns
and forest limits in the mountain regions of semiarid
central Asia on the regional scale. For the investigation area
in the northern Tien Shan, a strong relationship between forest
distribution and climate conditions could be found. Additionally
areas of potential human impact on forested areas are
identified at lower elevations near the edge of the mountains
based on an analysis of the differences in climatic preconditions
and the present occurrence of forest stands.
The distribution of spruce (Picea schrenkiana) forests is
hydrologically limited by a minimum annual precipitation of
250mm and thermally by a minimum monthly mean temperature
of 5 C during the growing season. While the actual
lower forest limit increases from 1600ma.s.l. (above
sea level) in the northwest to 2600ma.s.l. in the southeast,
the upper forest limit rises in the same direction from
1800ma.s.l. to 2900ma.s.l.. In accordance with the main
wind directions, the steepest gradient of both forest lines and
the greatest local vertical extent of the forest belt of 500 to
600m to a maximum of 900m occur at the northern and
western mountain fronts.
The forests in the investigation area are strongly restricted
to north-facing slopes, which is a common feature in semiarid
central Asia. Based on the presumption that variations in
local climate conditions are a function of topography, the potential
forest extent was analyzed with regard to the parameters
slope, aspect, solar radiation input and elevation. All
four parameters showed a strong relationship to forest distribution,
yielding a total potential forest area that is 3.5 times
larger than the present forest remains of 502 km2.
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