Abstract:

The Mongolian Plateau, a crucial ecological barrier in Northern China, necessitates stable and healthy ecological functions in Mongolia for understanding regional vegetation's response to global warming and reinforcing our northern ecological defenses. Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC) is an indicator used to assess the extent of vegetation cover on the Earth's surface. It is commonly utilized to measure the coverage provided by vegetation, serving as a crucial metric for evaluating the health of grassland ecosystems. Monitoring changes in FVC is significant for promptly detecting trends in grassland degradation and recovery. Variations in FVC directly impact soil erosion and water loss, and monitoring and controlling FVC can help slow down soil erosion and maintain the stability of grassland ecosystems. This study aims to generate and validate an annual FVC dataset with a spatial resolution of 1/12° spanning from 1990 to 2022, with the objective of comprehensively reflecting the distribution of vegetation cover in Mongolia over an extended temporal series. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the dataset, the study integrated MOD13Q1 data for computational calibration and validation, thereby guaranteeing the precision of FVC calculations. By constructing this FVC dataset, the study provides a scientific basis for the conservation and management of the grassland ecosystem in Mongolia.

Key words: Mongolia, vegetation coverage, spatiotemporal distribution