Analysis of vegetation spatial distribution characteristics in Northwest China’s arid desert area

Institute Of Water Resources for Pastoral Area, Ministry of Water Resources, Hohhot, China

^* Corresponding author: wmx605@163.com

Abstract

It is of great significance to study the characteristics of vegetation distribution in desert area for restoring vegetation, stabilizing ecosystem and ecological restoration in mining area. Taking the small watershed in Northwest China’s arid desert area where the typical open-pit coal mine is located as the study area, using GF-2 (Gaofen-2 satellite) images, calculating the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) results of the study area, extracting NDVI>0 as the vegetation cover area and combing with DEM (Digital Elevation Model), we analyse the relationship between vegetation distribution and slope aspect and water flow path. We conclude that in the natural state, the proportion of vegetation distribution on semi-sunny slope and shady slope in the study area is 74.8%, the proportion of sunny slope in the total area of the study area is 33.1%, and the proportion of vegetation distribution on this slope is only 11.9%, indicating that semi-sunny slope and shady slope are more suitable for growth in the study area. In the upper reaches of the basin, which is less affected by human activities, natural vegetation is distributed in strips along the flow path; In the mining area, which is obviously affected by human activities, the vegetation distribution characteristics change significantly with vegetation mainly distributed in the office area and being artificial greening.