Land cover change and hydro-climatic system interactions in the high mountains and around lakes of the Great Lakes Depression Region of Mongolia

Changes in arid and semi-arid regions are primarily identified through hydroclimatic and land cover variations. Therefore, analyzing the temporal and spatial patterns of water-climate changes and land cover in the Great Lakes Depression Region in western Mongolia is crucial for studying this basin and similar areas. This research used the Mann-Kendall (MK) test, Innovative Trend Analysis Method (ITAM), Sen's Slope Estimator Test (SSET), and land cover change analysis to examine the statistical relationships among climate variability, river discharge, lake level fluctuations, and land cover changes. Air temperature increased during the study period (Z=1.16*), while total annual precipitation (Z=−0.79) declined slightly. Major river discharges in the basin (Z=−3.92***), as well as lake water levels (Z=−2.51**), also decreased. Land cover changes were closely related to climate change, with indicators such as precipitation, river discharge, and lake water levels showing strong connections. Additionally, in 2020, basin grassland cover and bare area decreased, whereas impervious surfaces and cropland—land cover types influenced by human activity significantly increased. Consequently, future research should focus on human factors impacting the Great Lakes Depression Region in western Mongolia.