Mapping and dynamic monitoring of desertification on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau using surface Albedo and Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence

Desertification poses a significant threat to humanity’s long-term survival and sustainable development. In this study, four types of 2D desertification assessment models were created by integrating surface albedo with four vegetation-related indicators: NDVI, MSAVI, EVI, and solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF). A comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal variations in desertification on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) from 2001 to 2020 was then conducted. Among the four models, the SA-SIF model demonstrated the highest overall accuracy (0.8675; 95% CI: 0.8512–0.8838) and Kappa coefficient (0.8452; 95% CI: 0.8289–0.8615), significantly outperforming the other three models ( p < 0.01, McNemar’s test). The SA-SIF model’s mapping results revealed substantial regional variability in desertification on the QTP, with the degree of desertification decreasing from northwest to southeast. Over the past decade, the expansion of severe and extremely severe desertification on the QTP has shown signs of slowing, although future trends may become more complex due to the interplay of climatic and anthropogenic factors. The SA-SIF model can serve as a reference for future desertification control operations on the QTP.