Xv et al. (2026) Biophysical regulation mechanisms of land surface temperature driven by the spatiotemporal evolution of cropland

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-03-21
• Authors: Zheng Xv, Aifeng Lv
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111135

Research Groups

• Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
• University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

Short Summary

This study systematically investigated the biophysical mechanisms linking cropland evolution to land surface temperature (LST) variations across China from 2000 to 2020, revealing spatially heterogeneous effects where cropland expansion caused warming in arid northwestern regions and cooling in northeastern regions, primarily driven by ground heat flux, surface emissivity, and albedo.

Objective

• To systematically investigate and quantify the biophysical pathways through which cropland dynamics modulate land surface temperature (LST) variations across China.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: China
• Temporal Scale: 2000 to 2020

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not explicitly mentioned, but analysis integrated multi-source datasets.
• Data sources: Multi-source remote sensing and reanalysis datasets.

Main Results

• Cropland exhibited a pronounced spatial redistribution, expanding in northern and western provinces while decreasing in southeastern coastal regions.
• The nationwide mean temperature difference between cropland and adjacent natural ecosystems was nearly zero, but significant spatial heterogeneity was observed.
• Cropland in northeastern China showed a distinct cooling effect, whereas in arid northwestern regions, it induced significant surface warming.
• Ground heat flux (27%), surface emissivity (26%), and albedo (22%) were identified as the primary biophysical contributors to LST variability.
• Cropland expansion in arid northwestern China amplified surface warming, while in northeastern regions, cropland generally exerted a persistent cooling influence.
• This cooling effect in northeastern regions may be temporarily offset during rapid expansion periods due to short-term warming from surface drying, soil exposure, and shifts in energy partitioning.

Contributions

• Enhances the mechanistic understanding of land-use change–climate feedbacks by quantifying biophysical pathways of cropland dynamics on LST, which were previously insufficiently quantified.
• Provides scientific support for climate-resilient agricultural development and sustainable land management strategies.

Funding

• Not mentioned in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Xv2026Biophysical,
  author = {Xv, Zheng and Lv, Aifeng},
  title = {Biophysical regulation mechanisms of land surface temperature driven by the spatiotemporal evolution of cropland},
  journal = {Agricultural and Forest Meteorology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111135},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111135}
}