Geomorphology and Environmental Management of the Yellow River Source Zone

Geologic,climatic and anthropogenic factors have fashioned the distinctive landscapes and ecosystems of the Yellow River source zone(Brierley and Huang2013;Figure1).Located at thenorth-east corner of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau(QTP),at elevations between 2500 and 4500m,

Geologic, climatic and anthropogenic factors have fashioned the distinctive landscapes and ecosystems of the Yellow River source zone （Brierley and Huang 2013; Figure 1）. Located at the north-east corner of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau （QTP）, at elevations between 2500 and 45oo m, this area has an arid/semi-arid climate. Many of these landscapes retain a significant imprint from Quaternary environmental changes. This mix of factors has induced marked variability in vegetation patterns and land use potential across this vast area, where land use practices have maintained grazing adapted ecosystems for several thousand years （Miehe et al. 2009）. Despite the low population density, development pressures and climate change present significant threats to ecosystem values （e.g. Liu et al. 20x2; Shapiro 2012）. In recent decades, grassland and wetland degradation, alongside desertification, have placed significant stress upon land and water resources and biodiversity （including various iconic and endemic species, many of which are threatened or endangered）.