Spatiotemporal Dynamic Change and the Driving Mechanism of Desertification in the Yellow River Basin

The yellow river basin (YRB) plays a crucial role in maintaining national ecological security, and controlling desertification is a critical factor in strengthening the foundation for the high-quality development of the basin. However, there are fewer studies on the spatiotemporal patterns of desertification change in different regions of the YRB, and the mechanisms affecting desertification change are not yet clear. The objective of this article was to construct a desertification difference index (DDI) to characterize the degree of desertification in the YRB based on surface Albedo and normalized difference vegetation index. We analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of desertification in different regions of the YRB. We used geographical detector and correlation analyses to screen out the main drivers affecting desertification change. We found that the DDI increased significantly at a rate of 0.5 × 10⁻³/a from 2001 to 2021, indicating a slowing down trend of desertification in the YRB. The spatial concentration of desertification was a high degree of agglomeration and significant spatial autocorrelation. Precipitation (PRE) and surface radiation were the primary factors influencing desertification in the YRB. The most important factor influencing desertification in the upstream of the YRB and midstream of the YRB areas was PRE. However, human footprint has exacerbated desertification in the downstream of the YRB. This article aims to reveal the driving mechanisms behind desertification in the YRB. The objective is to provide a reference for combating desertification and improving the ecological environment in the region.