Validation and revision of the SAGE potential natural vegetation data in the Yellow River Delta

Coupled with the changes of the Yellow River and the expansion of the old and new Yellow River Deltas, vegetation field survey method was used to identify the vegetation types in different geomorphic locations in the Yellow River Delta . Impact of the Yellow River change, delta expansion and human land use activities on natural vegetation was analyzed．SAGE potential vegetation data in the Yellow River Delta were evaluated and revised with reference to vegetation type distribution data and remote sensing images．The natural vegetation in the Yellow River Delta was found to show a circular distribution pattern, the vegetation type was deciduous broad-leaved forest, tamarisk scrub, reed and suaeda meadows, and desert from the inland to coast．The impact of the Yellow River on natural vegetation in the Yellow River Delta was mainly manifested in the new delta area, where freshwater vegetation mainly developed near the Yellow River and alkali-tolerant vegetation developed far from the Yellow River channel．Impact of human land use activities on natural vegetation in the Yellow River Delta had a coastal and inland distinction, with natural vegetation replaced by artificial vegetation and impervious surface in the inland and coast respectively．SAGE potential vegetation could generally reflect spatial distribution pattern of vegetation, but differed significantly from natural vegetation in some areas．Revised potential vegetation data could better represent spatial distribution differences in vegetation type and circular evolution characteristic of vegetation, and will provide basic data support for future studies related to human-environmental effects in the Yellow River Delta．