Human‐Climate Coupled Changes in Vegetation Community Complexity of China Since 1980s

Abstract Vegetation community complexity is a critical factor influencing terrestrial ecosystem stability. China, the country leading world in vegetation greening resulting from human activities, has experienced dramatic changes composition during past 30 years. However, how China's varies spatially and temporally remains unclear. Here, we examined spatial pattern of its temporal 1980s to 2015 using two maps China as well more than half million field samples. Spatially, distribution primarily dominated by elevation, although temperature precipitation can be locally influential elevation when they become factors limiting plant growth. Temporally, shows significant decreasing trend years, despite observed trend. Prevailing climate warming across exhibits negative correlation with decrease complexity, but this biogeographical regions. The intensity activities have an overall influence on conservation restoration efforts positive effect maintaining informing role management policies achieving sustainable development goal.