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Spatial Distribution of, and Variations in, Cold Regions in China from 1961 to 2019

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  • Yumeng Wang

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Jingyan Ma

    (Teaching Management and Teaching Office, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Lijuan Zhang

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Yutao Huang

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Xihui Guo

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Yiping Yang

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Enbo Zhao

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Yufeng Zhao

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Yue Chu

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Meiyi Jiang

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

  • Nan Wang

    (Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Geographical Environment Monitoring and Spatial Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China)

Abstract

In this study, on the basis of the temperature data collected at 612 meteorological stations in China from 1961 to 2019, cold regions were defined using three indicators: an average temperature of <−3.0 °C during the coldest month; less than five months with an average temperature of >10 °C; and an annual average temperature of ≤5 °C. Spatial interpolation, spatial superposition, a trend analysis, and a spatial similarity analysis were used to obtain the spatial distribution of the cold regions in China from 1961 to 2019. Then, the areas of the cold regions and the spatial change characteristics were analyzed. The results reveal that the average area of the cold regions in China from 1961 to 2019 was about 427.70 × 10 4 km 2 , accounting for about 44.5% of the total land area. The rate of change of the area of the cold regions from 1961 to 2019 was −14.272 × 10 4 km 2 /10 a, exhibiting a very significant decreasing trend. On the basis of the changes between 1991–2019 and 1961–1990, the area of China’s cold regions decreased by 49.32 × 10 4 km 2 . The findings of this study provide references for studying changes in the natural environment due to climate change, as well as for studying changes on a global scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Yumeng Wang & Jingyan Ma & Lijuan Zhang & Yutao Huang & Xihui Guo & Yiping Yang & Enbo Zhao & Yufeng Zhao & Yue Chu & Meiyi Jiang & Nan Wang, 2022. "Spatial Distribution of, and Variations in, Cold Regions in China from 1961 to 2019," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:1:p:465-:d:716405
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Nitzbon & Sebastian Westermann & Moritz Langer & Léo C. P. Martin & Jens Strauss & Sebastian Laboor & Julia Boike, 2020. "Fast response of cold ice-rich permafrost in northeast Siberia to a warming climate," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
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