Evolution stage,spatial and temporal variabilities of granite landforms in the Mount Wugongshan in Jiangxi Province of South China

Granites of the Mesozoic Era are widespread in South China,and many of them have been shaped into spectacular landscapes with high tourism development values.However,the controlling factors and evolution stages of these granite landscapes were poorly understood.In this study,the Hypsometric Integral curves(HIc),and Hypsometric Integral(HI)values of the Mount Wugong were extracted from digital elevation model data in a geographic information system environment.The relationships between the HIc,HI values,and factors including the tectonism,lithology and climate of the study area were analyzed to determine the evolution of granite landscapes evolution in the main scenic areas of the Mount Wugongshan.The HI values on the northwestern and southeastern slopes of the Mount Wugongshan range from 0.223 to 0.415 and 0.385 to 0.465,respectively;the HIc are mainly concave on the northwestern slopes and irregularly‘Sshaped’on the southeastern slopes.The main ridge of the granite geomorphic scenic area of the Mount Wugongshan,where the alpine meadow geomorphic landscape is located,is in the youthful stage of geomorphic evolution,the Mt.Jinding-Mt.Wanlong and Mt.Mingyue-Wentang scenic areas are in the old stage,and the Yangshimu scenic area is in the mature stage.Differences in watershed scale may be the main reason for the variabilities in geomorphic evolution in the area,while the regular development of tectonic phenomena is a key factor shaping the spatial variability in the watersheds on both sides of the main ridge.