Modeling Climatic Parameters on Flood Damage Performance on Vegetation Using Response Surface Methodology and Satellite Images: A Case Study Bayanbulak Natural World Heritage Site, China

Accurate and timely flood assessments are crucial for safety and damage reduction. This study develops a methodology using Sentinel-2 satellite images and global satellite products, alongside response surface methodology, to estimate flood damage to vegetation during 14 flooding events at the Bayanbulak Natural World Heritage site. Results indicate that the highest vegetation change correlates with increased rainfall in spring and summer, with correlation analysis revealing strong relationships between temperature (0.87) and precipitation (0.80) and vegetation cover. The study found that increased rainfall and decreased vegetation led to greater flood damage, while reduced rainfall reversed this trend. The estimated flood damage affected approximately 53,326 hectares of vegetation. This methodology facilitates quicker access to processed satellite images and improves understanding of flood damage thresholds prior to events, enhancing flood assessment capabilities.