Typical alpine wetland landscape changes in eastern Tibetan Plateau under climate change over 15 years

In this study, remotely sensed landscape index analysis over 15 years, indoor and outdoor experimental analysis and statistical analysis were utilized to study a typical alpine wetland at Maqu County in eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China for the relation between landscape change and climate change. We investigated: (1) changes of alpine wetland landcover; (2)changes of the main climate characteristics (temperature, precipitation) of the alpine wetland; and (3) dynamic changes and causes of alpine wetland landscape. The results indicated the local climate change was the primary cause for resulting in reduction of wetland areas and degradation of wetlands over the last 15 years.