Work

Assessing drought risk of grassland ecosystem in Hulunbuir, China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Hulunbuir grass is one of the world-renowned natural grasslands, and it is the important ecological security barrier in northern China. However, its grass ecosystem is fragile and has been influenced by drought disasters, which has a significant trend of aridification over years.In order to estimate drought risk of grass ecosystem more comprehensive, this study integrated human activities impact and water conservation into risk assessment. The results showed that the risk levels in Hulunbuir presents a clear zonal distribution with high in the west and low in the east. The western part of Hulunbuir is mainly located in the area with high drought risk level, among which the western New Barag Right Banner and New Barag Left Banner are in the areas with the highest grassland drought risk, while Manzhouli, the eastern part of New Barag Left Banner, and the western part of Chen Banner are in the moderate high-risk areas. The drought risk assessment considered most vulnerability factors lied in Hulunbuir grass ecosystem, and the results provided scientific reference for taking actions to proactively reduce drought risk through managing grass ecosystem protection strategies more effective.

Source: Ecological Indicators

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113522

Authors: Jiarui Han, Yinglong Sun, Feiyun Yang

Institution: China Meteorological Administration

Language: English

Topic: Hydrology and Drought Analysis

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Climate action, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,650