Assessment on the influence of environmental changes on hydrothermal processes in extremely arid inland basins: Evidence from remote sensing data

the Tarim River Basin (TRB), China. We based on surface hydrothermal data, along with LUCC and major environmental factors from three ecosystems in the mountain, oasis, and desert regions of the TRB from 1990 to 2022, and investigated the response of surface hydrothermal processes in different ecosystems to LUCC and climate change. Significant expansion of cropland and impervious areas occurred in the oasis regions (+15,091.2 km 2 and +2329.7 km 2 , respectively), primarily through conversion of grasslands and barren lands. Glacier/snow areas of the mountains region reduction (-1192.7 km 2 ), while desert regions showed enhanced land utilization with barren land decrease (-1366.3 km 2 ). (2) Regional land surface temperature (LST) demonstrated an upward trend ( P < 0.01). Soil moisture (SM) declined significantly, particularly in the winter of the oases region (-0.0006 m 3 /m 3 yr −1 , P < 0.05). Except for the mountain area, the actual evapotranspiration (AET) showed a downward trend. (3) Conversion to forests/grasslands significantly suppressed regional LST increasing, decelerated SM decline, and enhanced AET. Conversely, conversion to impervious areas intensified regional LST rising and SM depletion. (4) Hydrothermal drivers exhibited significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Solar radiation (SRAD) dominated regional LST variability (70.7 % summer explanatory power in mountainous regions), PRE governed regional AET variability (exceeding 80 % explanatory power in oasis regions), and regional SM was jointly controlled by regional LST and PRE. The results of this study will provide a crucial scientific basis for regional ecological protection and climate change response. • Increased land surface temperature, reduced soil moisture, and actual evapotranspiration were observed. • The hydrothermal processes of the oasis region in summer were particularly complex. • LUCC changes in the mountainous region lead to an increase AET. • The presence of fallow cropland and grassland in the oasis region aggravated the rising trend of AET. • Regional hydrothermal processes exhibited significant response to NDVI, precipitation, and wind speed.