Permafrost distribution in the Qinghai-Tibet Engineering Corridor (QTEC) is of growing interest due to the increase in infrastructure development in this remote area. Empirical models of mountain permafrost distribution have been established based on field sampled data, as a tool for regional-scale assessments of its distribution. This kind of model approach has never been applied for a large portion of this engineering corridor. In the present study, this methodology is applied to map permafrost distribution throughout the QTEC. After spatial modelling of the mean annual air temperature distribution from MODIS-LST and DEM, using high-resolution satellite image to interpret land surface type, a permafrost probability index was obtained. The evaluation results indicate that the model has an acceptable performance. Conditions highly favorable to permafrost presence (≥70%) are predicted for 60.3% of the study area, declaring a discontinuous permafrost distribution in the QTEC. This map is useful for the infrastructure development along the QTEC. In the future, local ground-truth observations will be required to confirm permafrost presence in favorable areas and to monitor permafrost evolution under the influence of climate change.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is known as the Third Polar of the earth and the Water Tower of Asia, with more than 70% of the area on the QTP is covered by permafrost possibly. An accurate permafrost distribution map based on valid and available methods is indispensable for the local environment evaluation and engineering constructions planning. Most of the previous permafrost maps have employed traditional mapping method based on field surveys and borehole investigation data. However their accuracy is limited because it is extremely difficulties in obtaining mass data in the high-altitude and cold regions as the QTP; moreover, the mapping method, which would effectively integrate many factors, is still facing great challenges. With the rapid development of remote sensing technology in permafrost mapping, spatial data derived from the satellite sensors can recognize the permafrost environment features and quantitatively estimate permafrost distribution. Until now there is no map indicated permafrost presence/absence on the QTP that has been generated only by remote sensing data as yet. Therefore, this paper used permafrost-influencing factors and examined distribution features of each factor in permafrost regions and seasonally frozen ground regions. Then, using the Decision Tree method with the environmental factors, the 1 km resolution permafrost map over the QTP was obtained. The result shows higher accuracy compared to the previous published map of permafrost on the QTP and the map of the glaciers, frozen ground and deserts in China, which also demonstrates that making comprehensive use of remote sensing technology in permafrost mapping research is fast, macro and feasible. Furthermore, this result provides a simple and valid method for further permafrost research.