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In this study, we calculate the Holocene rates of vegetation composition changes (RoCs) for different elevations in the Central Arid Zone of Asia based on 46 pollen records using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). In addition, we investigate the relative importance of six drivers (temperature, precipitation, CO 2 concentration, fire, pasture and cropland activities) using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results show that RoCs at high elevations (>2000 m a.s.l.) were generally greater in the early Holocene and then fell to their lowest values at ∼6000 cal. yr BP. RoCs then gradually increased between ∼6000 and ∼3000 cal. yr BP and over the past ∼3000 years, RoCs abruptly decreased before returning to an upward trend. We infer that the changeable characters of RoCs at high elevations are mainly modulated by fire activities. RoCs at middle-to-low elevations (<2000 m a.s.l.) experienced a steady acceleration through the Holocene, which might be attributed to climatic cooling and wetting and intensification of fire activities. Our findings shed light on the Holocene response of vegetation to climate change, CO 2 concentration, fire and human activities (grazing and cropland) in the Central Arid Zone of Asia. • Holocene rates of vegetation composition changes (RoCs) were investigated in the Central Arid Zone of Asia; • RoCs at high elevations are mainly modulated by fire activities. • RoCs at middle-to-low elevations were attributed to climatic cooling and wetting and intensification of fire activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]