Abstract
Eco-geographic regionalization has been one of the most important topics in China’s regionalization researches since the end of the 20th century. It is a major ecosystem in geographic zonality. A hierarchical system, which is formed by division or combination of natural features based on geographic relativity and comparison of major ecosystem factors (including biological and non-biological) and geographic zonality, is called eco-geographic regional system. This paper introduces process of China’s regionalization development. The first level unit, temperature zone, is delineated with main criteria of temperature. The second level unit, humidity region, is based on criteria of water/moisture states. The third level unit, natural region, is divided according to medium geomorphologic units. Vegetation types and soils are applied as supplementary criteria to indicate temperature and water/moisture states. Mapping process from qualitative to quantitative and China’s eco-geographic regional system are also explained in this paper.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Editorial Committee ofPhysical Geography of China of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1982. Physical Geography of China: Pedological Geography. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)
Fu Bojie, 2001. Scheme of ecological regionalization in China.Acta Ecologka Sinica, 21(1): 1–6. (in Chinese)
Hou Xueyu, 1963. Opinions on development orientation of agriculture, forestry, livestock farming, sideline and fishery of each natural region of China.Scientia, (9): 8–26. (in Chinese)
Hou Xueyu, 1988. Natural Ecological Regionalization and Agricultural Development of China. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)
Hou Xueyu, 2001. Vegetation Map of China (1:1,000,000). Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)
Huang Bingwei, 1959. Draft of the complex physical geographical division of China.Scientia, (18): 594–602. (in Chinese)
Huang Bingwei, 1962. Some points of view on comprehensive natural regionalization. In: Collections of China’s Academic Conference of Geography 1960. Beijing: Science Press. 5–14. (in Chinese)
Huang Bingwei, 1989. Map of China’s comprehensive natural regionalization. In: Atlas of Natural Conservation of China. Beijing: Science Press. 20–21; 155–157. (in Chinese)
Huang Bingwei, 1989. Outline of China’s Comprehensive Natural Regionalization, Geographic Collection. Beijing: Science Press. 10–20. (in Chinese)
Huang Bingwei, 1993. Climatic division and physical-geography division of China: retrospect and prospects. In: Sixty Years of Study on Integrated Physical Geography. Beijing: Science Press. 130–142. (in Chinese)
Schultz J, 1995. The Ecozones of the World. Springer
Li Bingyuan, 1994. Geomorphologic Map of China (1:4,000,000). Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)
Ren Mei’e, Yang Renzhang, 1961. Some issues on China’s natural regionalization.Acta Geographka Sinica, 27: 66–74. (in Chinese)
Ren Mei’e, 1982. Outline of China’s Physical Geography. Beijing: The Commercial Press. (in Chinese)
Ren Mei’e, Bao Haosheng, 1992. China’s Natural Regionalization and Management. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)
Robert G Bailey, 1983. Delineation of ecosystem regions.Environmental Management, 7(4): 365–373.
Robert G Bailey, 1985. Ecological regionalization in Canada and the United States.Geoforum, 16(3): 265–175.
Robert G Bailey, 1989. Explanatory supplement to ecoregions maps of the continents.Environmental Conservation, 16(4): 307–309.
Robert G Bailey, 1989. Map of Ecoregion of the Continents, USDA Forest Service, Washington, 1995. Map of Ecoregion of the Continents, Supplement to Environmental Conservation, 16(4).
Robert G Bailey, 1995. Description of the Ecoregions of the United States, USDA Miscellaneous Publication 1391.
Robert G Bailey, 1995. Ecosystem Geography. Springer.
Robert G Bailey, 1998. Ecoregions: The Ecosystem Geography of the Oceans and Continents. Springer.
Wu Shaohong, Zheng Du, 2000. New recognition on boundary between tropical/subtropical in the middle section for eco-geographic system.Acta Geographica Sinica, 55(6): 689–697. (in Chinese)
Wu Shaohong, Zheng Du, 2001. Delineation of boundary between tropical/subtropical in the middle section for eco-geographic system of South China.Journal of Geographical Sciences, 11(1): 80–86.
Yang Qinye, Zheng Du, Wu Shaohong, 2002. Eco-geographic region study in China.Natural Science Progress, 12(3): 287–291. (in Chinese)
Zhao Songqiao, Huang Rongjin, Sun Huinanet al., 1988. Modern Physical Geography. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)
Zheng Du, 1999. A Study on the Eco-geographic Regional System of China, FAO FRA2000 Global Ecological Zoning Workshop, Cambridge, UK, July, 28–30, 12.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shaohong, W., Qinye, Y. & Du, Z. Delineation of eco-geographic regional system of China. J. Geogr. Sci. 13, 309–315 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02837505
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02837505