LUCC and landscape pattern dynamics of alpine grasslands in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LUCC) can not only have a wide variety of ecological effects but also effect landscape features and functions, which greatly influence the regional biological diversity and ecological processes. The characteristics of LUCC and landscape pattern changes of Alpine grassland in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, were analyzed based on the Landsat TM / ETM images in 1980s, 1995, 2000 and MODIS images in 2005. The results showed that main land use / land cover was alpine meadow (77%), unused land (11%), alpine shrub and forest (7%) and others (5%). The conversion from alpine meadow to unused land and conversions between high, middle and low alpine meadow were obvious during the past two decade. The degree of landscape fragmentation increased from 1980s to 2000, whereas it decreased from 2000 to 2005 on the benefit of increased trend of warm and humid climate conditions and much more sustainable practising of land use based on the protection of environment on the Tibetan Plateau.