Multiple ecological effects and their drivers of ecological restoration programmes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

A series of ecological restoration programmes (ERPs) have been implemented in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to reverse ecological deterioration. However, the multiple ecological benefits of these ERPs and their driving factors remain unclear. This study analyzed the dynamic changes in fractional vegetation cover (FVC), ecosystem services [water yield (WY), net primary productivity (NPP), and soil conservation (SC)], and sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the Forest Protection and Construction Programme (FPCP), Grassland Protection and Construction Programme (GPCP), Sandy Land Control Programme (SLCP), and Soil Erosion Control Programme (SECP) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 2000 to 2015. The geographically weighted regression model was used to reveal the spatial differences of drivers of various ecological benefits. The results showed that ecological benefits increased synergistically in the GPCP and SLCP, while trade-offs between NPP and WY were observed for the FPCP and SECP. ERPs resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in FVC, SDG 15.1.1, and SDG 15.3.1 and a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in SDG 15.4.2, except for the SLCP. ERPs improved the FVC, WY, and SC, but did not reverse grassland degradation. The ecological benefits of the FPCP and SLCP were poor after 2010, while the ecological benefits of the SLCP have been better since 2012. FVC and WY were dominated by precipitation, and NPP was dominated by FVC. Slope dominated SC in the GPCP, SECP, and SLCP, while precipitation dominated SC in the FPCP. This study can provide scientific support for sustainable vegetation management.