Remote Sensing and Machine Learning Uncover Dominant Drivers of Carbon Sink Dynamics in Subtropical Mountain Ecosystems

Net ecosystem productivity (NEP) serves as a key indicator for assessing regional carbon sink potential, with its dynamics regulated by nonlinear interactions among multiple factors. However, its driving factors and their coupling processes remain insufficiently characterized. This study investigated terrestrial ecosystems in Yunnan Province, China, to elucidate the drivers of NEP using 14 environmental factors (including topography, meteorology, soil texture, and human activities) and 21 remote sensing features. We developed a research framework based on “Feature Selection–Machine Learning–Mechanism Interpretation.” The results demonstrated that the Variable Selection Using Random Forests (VSURF) feature selection method effectively reduced model complexity. The selected features achieved high estimation accuracy across three machine learning models, with the eXtreme Gradient Boosting Regression (XGBR) model performing optimally (R² = 0.94, RMSE = 76.82 gC/(m²·a), MAE = 55.11 gC/(m²·a)). Interpretation analysis using the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) method revealed the following: (1) The Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), soil pH, solar radiation, air temperature, clay content, precipitation, sand content, and vegetation type were the primary drivers of NEP in Yunnan. Notably, EVI’s importance exceeded that of other factors by approximately 3 to 10 times. (2) Significant interactions existed between soil texture and temperature: Under low-temperature conditions (−5 °C to 12.15 °C), moderate clay content (13–25%) combined with high sand content (40–55%) suppressed NEP. Conversely, within the medium to high temperature range (5 °C to 23.79 °C), high clay content (25–40%) coupled with low sand content (25–43%) enhanced NEP. These findings elucidate the complex driving mechanisms of NEP in subtropical ecosystems, confirming the dominant role of EVI in carbon sequestration and revealing nonlinear regulatory patterns in soil–temperature interactions. This study provides not only a robust “Feature Selection–Machine Learning–Mechanism Interpretation” modeling framework for assessing carbon budgets in mountainous regions but also a scientific basis for formulating regional carbon management policies.