Modeling the Impacts of Land Cover Change and Vegetation Greening on Temperature and Hydrological Cycles Over the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Abstract The Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) has experienced significant vegetation changes in recent decades, including shifts in land cover types (grassland expansion) and greening. Nevertheless, the feedback mechanisms between vegetation changes and regional climate, as well as its impact on the hydrological cycles, are yet to be adequately quantified. This study employs high‐resolution vegetation data and RegCM5.0‐CLM4.5 simulations to assess the impacts of vegetation change on the QTP. Through sensitivity experiments involving alterations in plant functional types and leaf area index (LAI), the effects on temperature and hydrological cycles are evaluated. The results indicate that from 2000 to 2020, notable increases in LAI were concentrated in the eastern QTP. When only bare land changed to grassland, there was significant warming on the plateau. When LAI also increased, temperature was influenced by both evaporation and albedo changes. As LAI further expanded, evaporative cooling dominated, temperature decreased, precipitation and total runoff increased, and the water cycle accelerated.