Yuan et al. (2026) Responses of Vegetation to Atmospheric and Soil Water Constraints Under Increasing Water Stress in China’s Three-North Shelter Forest Program Region

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Identification

• Journal: Land
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-08
• Authors: Limin Yuan, R. R. Wang, Ercha Hu, Haidong Zhang
• DOI: 10.3390/land15010122

Research Groups

The provided text does not explicitly list the main research groups, labs, or departments involved in the study.

Short Summary

This study systematically assessed the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation responses to atmospheric and soil moisture constraints in the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TNSFP) region of northern China from 2001 to 2022. It revealed a compound water constraint pattern, with increasing vegetation dependence on middle and deep soil moisture, reduced response times to water stress, and a stronger influence of air temperature over precipitation on vegetation–water relationships.

Objective

• To systematically assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation responses to atmospheric water constraints (Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index - SPEI) and soil moisture constraints (Standardized Soil Moisture Index - SSMI) across the TNSFP region from 2001 to 2022.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TNSFP) region in northern China.
• Temporal Scale: 2001 to 2022.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: No explicit process models (e.g., land surface models, hydrological models) were mentioned in the provided text.
• Indices used: Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), Standardized Soil Moisture Index (SSMI).
• Data sources: Not explicitly stated (e.g., satellite, observation, reanalysis) in the provided text.

Main Results

• A compound water constraint pattern was identified: soil moisture deficit dominated vegetation limitation across 46.41–67.88% of the region, particularly in the middle (0.28–1.00 m) and deep (1.00–2.89 m) soil layers.
• Atmospheric water surplus also substantially affected 37.35% of the study area.
• From 2001 to 2022, vegetation showed weakening correlations with atmospheric and shallow-soil moisture, but strengthening coupling with middle- and deep-soil moisture, indicating a growing dependence on deep water resources.
• The response times of vegetation to both water deficit and water surplus were reduced, suggesting vegetation growth was increasingly restricted by water deficit while being less constrained by water surplus during the period.
• Attribution analysis revealed that air temperature exerted a stronger influence than precipitation on vegetation–water relationships over the study period.

Contributions

• Improved understanding of vegetation–water interactions under combined climate and land use change in arid and semi-arid regions.
• Provided critical scientific support for land use-targeted adaptive management strategies.

Funding

The provided text does not contain information regarding the funding projects, programs, or reference codes for this research.

Citation

@article{Yuan2026Responses,
  author = {Yuan, Limin and Wang, R. R. and Hu, Ercha and Zhang, Haidong},
  title = {Responses of Vegetation to Atmospheric and Soil Water Constraints Under Increasing Water Stress in China’s Three-North Shelter Forest Program Region},
  journal = {Land},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.3390/land15010122},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010122}
}