Research on the Dynamic Changes of Drought and Vegetation Coupling on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the Context of Global Warming

Abstract In recent years, global warming has exacerbated drought conditions on the Tibetan Plateau, a region that draws attention due to its unique geographical location and complex natural environment. To deepen our understanding of the connection between vegetation and drought in mid-to-high latitude plateau areas, we focused our research on the Tibetan Plateau. Our findings indicate that the severity of drought in 2020 slightly decreased compared to 2001, and there was an increase in vegetation cover. Among the drought events analyzed on the Tibetan Plateau, the years 2009, 2006, and 2018 were the most severe. Correlation analysis revealed a high level of coupled coordination between drought and vegetation. The weighting of indices evaluating the drought and vegetation system highlighted major driving factors such as water area and precipitation, with grassland vegetation types exerting the most significant impact on overall vegetation cover. Comparing the values of coupling coordination with the composite scores of drought and vegetation, it was found that human activities had an increased impact on both in 2018 and 2019. This research contributes theoretical insights into the intrinsic mechanisms of the coupling relationship between vegetation and drought and offers scientific guidance for addressing global climate change.