Research on the Response Mechanism of Vegetation to Drought Stress in the West Liao River Basin, China

Understanding vegetation’s drought response helps predict ecosystem adaptations to climate change and offers scientific insights for managing extreme climate events. Using RS technology, this study systematically investigates the response mechanisms of vegetation to drought and their spatiotemporal variations in the ecologically sensitive semi-arid area and the national grain security zone—West Liao River Basin, China. The findings reveal that (1) from 2000 to 2018, NDVI exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, and drought trends remained pronounced in certain areas and seasons; (2) growing-season droughts impaired productivity, while winter droughts reduced soil moisture, with arid-zone vegetation being most vulnerable; (3) grasslands responded rapidly to drought, forests slowly via deep roots, and croplands suffered most during critical growth phases; and (4) drought-adapted western forests/shrubs recovered best, while eastern croplands required targeted measures like resilient crops and water management. The results of this study not only provide a scientific basis for ecological management in the West Liao River Basin but also offer valuable insights for vegetation and water resource management in other arid and semi-arid regions globally. This research holds significant importance for addressing climate change and achieving regional sustainable development.