Estimation and Prediction of Vegetation Coverage in Yancheng National Nature Reserve

Relatively few studies have been published to reveal the vegetation status of the largest wetland reserve in China-Yancheng National Nature Reserve. In this study, the vegetation coverage (VC) was estimated based on Landsat data and dimidiate pixel model, then the variation of VC from 1998 to 2018 was evaluated by coefficient of variation and change rate, finally the VC in 2022 was predicted by cellular automata and Markov chain. Results showed the VC was relatively stable during the past 20 years, the VC (0-0.1) occupied most. Three improving trends occupied more than three deteriorating trends, overall, VC presented a trend of stability and improvement. The core zone showed a higher VC, a higher stability and a greater proportion of improving trends. The VC in 2022 would remain stable. This study revealed the vegetation status when migrant birds wintered here, it provided data support for scientific and effective decisions in future protection.