Using the coupled coordination degree model, DEA coupled coordination efficiency model, and spatial autocorrelation model, this study explored the dynamic coupled coordination relationship and spatial correlation between the ice-snow tourism network attention and tourism industry development in 31 Chinese provinces and proposed suggestions pertaining to development. Our findings showed that (1) most provinces have not yet achieved excellent coordinated development between the two systems, and the coupled coordination efficiency is low. Each province's coupled coordination degree and coordination efficiency exhibited a small increase. (2) Spatial differences in the coupled coordination level and coordination efficiency of the two systems in each province were more evident. In seven provinces, including Heilongjiang, tourism industry development demonstrated a relatively high utilization rate and enhanced ice-snow tourism network attention. (3) The rankings of the coupled coordination degree and coordination efficiency of the two systems in each province remained relatively stable at the upper and lower ends, with large changes in the central provinces. The coupled coordination efficiency of Heilongjiang, Beijing, Jilin, and Shanghai remained at the top of the list steadily, whereas Tibet, Anhui, and Qinghai stayed at the bottom. In contrast, the ranking of the coupled coordination efficiency of Inner Mongolia, Henan, and Jiangsu displayed a great change. (4) The spatial correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation that decreased annually. Some provinces exhibited characteristics of spatial aggregation, with a high-high aggregation effect in Liaoning and Jilin, a low-low aggregation effect in Gansu and Qinghai, and no spatial aggregation effect in most other provinces.

Questions Is it possible to map floristic gradients in heterogeneous boreal vegetation by using remote-sensing data? Does a continuous vegetation map enable the creation of a spatially continuous map of seasonal permafrost soil thaw depth? Location Bonanza Creek LTER, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. Methods Vegetation records are subjected to an ordination to extract the predominant floristic gradient. The ordination scores are then extrapolated using Sentinel 2 imagery and a digital elevation model (DEM). As the relation between vegetation pattern and seasonal thaw depth was confirmed in this study, the spatial distribution of ordination scores is then used to predict seasonal thaw depth over the same area. Results The first dimension of the ordination space separates species corresponding to moist and cold soil conditions from species associated with well-drained soils. This floristic gradient was successfully mapped within the sampled plant communities. The extrapolated thaw depths follow the typical distribution along a topographical and geomorphological gradient for this region. Besides vegetation information also DEM derivatives show high contributions to the thaw depth modeling. Conclusion We demonstrate that floristic gradient mapping in boreal vegetation is possible. The accuracy of the thaw depth prediction model is comparable to that in previous analyses but uses a more parsimonious set of predictors, underlining the efficacy of this approach.

We measured vegetation patterns on palsas with reference to topographic characteristics on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, northern Alaska, to obtain benchmark data because of the changes expected from global warming. Vegetation was examined in 60 plots of area 50 cm x 50 cm by five environmental factors: water content in the peat and duff layers, groundwater level, slope angle, depth to frozen surface, and presence of pellets and feces. Three palsas were selected for the survey, and the heights were fewer than 50 cm from the groundwater surface. Based on TWINSPAN and canonical correspondence analysis, we confirmed that clear patterns of vegetation zonation had developed within a 60-cm difference in water level. Vaccinium vitis-idaea occurred well on the top areas of palsas, while Carex aquatilis was established on the bottom areas. Sphagnum spp. were established on intermediate locations between V. vitis-idaea and C. aquatilis. The prime determinant of the vegetation zonation seems to be water content in peat and duff layers rather than water level, although the five factors that we examined interact intricately with each other.