Analysis on factors affecting the development of alpine permafrost in Central-Eastern Qilianshan Mountains, Northwest China

Using data from 190 boreholes drilled in 2004, an analysis of the factors affecting the development of alpine permafrost was carried out using the statistical analysis software of SPSS. The factors considered in this case were the terrain factors of elevation, slope, aspect, curvature, plan curve and profile curve, the climatic factors of latitude, longitude, and the potential incoming solar radiation, as well as the topographic wetness index and the vegetation abundance indicating factor NDVI. The results indicated that longitude had the most significant negative effect on the presence of permafrost. Elevation, the potential incoming solar radiation and latitude had significant positive correlations with the occurrence of permafrost.