Spring habitat selection of sables in Daxing'an Mountains

This paper studies the habitat selection of sables (Martes. zibellina) in spring adopting radio-tracking and GPS (Global Positioning System) in Daxing’an Mountains of China. Sables liked mature and elder forest, but it avoided uncovered and young growth land. In spring sables had strong selection to medium cover-degree forest, but it avoided widen ground and especial high cover-degree forest. On the contrary sables didn’t have the strong selection to shrubs cover-degree, but strong selection to dominant tree species, slope degree and slope direction, especially sable liked medium and lower slope. At the same time, sables had the strong selection to the log’s density and the crown’s cover-degree. Generally it avoided high elevation and lower slope land.

Quantitative dynamics on stimulating regeneration and sowing seedlings of Larix gmelinii in Daxing'an Mountains

To understand the quantitative dynamics and death reason of stimulating regeneration seedlings is significant for stimulating the natural regeneration ofLarix gmelinii and implement of conservation project of natural forest. This paper summarized location observations and directly-seeding simulation experiments of six permanent sample plots that were set up after the seed bumper harvest year ofLarix gmelinii in 1989. The study showed that stimulating natural regeneration seedlings had a large mortality in the first three years, especially in the first year of seedling emergence. After three years seedlings died less and stepped into the stable regeneration stage. A large number of seedlings died of sunscald as the primary death reason. For those areas of good site conditions and rich soil, damping-off would cause seedlings to death in large quantities. The task of stimulating regeneration is mainly to get rid of the litter (forest floor) on burned areas. By means of promoting measures, emergence rate of sown seeds would be several times and dozens of times higher than that of seed shedding on the condition of retention of forest floor. Promoting the regeneration need to select the suitable site against great slope and low-lying lands; at the same time, be careful of the avoidance of frost heaving by depression water.

Dendroclimatological study of Sabina saltuaria and Abies faxoniana in the mixed forests of the Qionglai Mountains,eastern Tibetan Plateau

Tree-ring chronologies were developed for Sabina saltuaria and Abies faxoniana in mixed forests in the Qionglai Mountains of the eastern Tibetan Plateau.Climate-growth relationship analysis indicated that the two co-exist-ing species reponded similarly to climate factors,although S.saltuaria was more sensitive than A.faxoniana.The strong-est correlation was between S.saltuaria chronology and regional mean temperatures from June to November.Based on this relationship,a regional mean temperature from June to November for the period 1605-2016 was constructed.Reconstruction explained 37.3%of the temperature variance during th period 1961-2016.Six major warm periods and five major cold periods were identified.Spectral analysis detected significant interannual and multi-decadal cycles.Reconstruction also revealed the influence of the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation,confirming its importance on climate change on the eastern Tibetan Plateau.

Temperature trends and its elevation-dependent warming over the Qilian Mountains

Understanding temperature variability especially elevation dependent warming(EDW)in high-elevation mountain regions is critical for assessing the impacts of climate change on water resources including glacier melt,degradation of soils,and active layer thickness.EDW means that temperature is warming faster with the increase of altitude.In this study,we used observed temperature data during 1979-2017 from 23 meteorological stations in the Qilian Mountains(QLM)to analyze temperature trend with Mann-Kendall(MK)test and Sen’s slope approach.Results showed that the warming trends for the annual temperature followed the order of T_min>T_mean>T_max and with a shift both occurred in 1997.Spring and summer temperature have a higher increasing trend than that in autumn and winter.T_mean shifts occurred in 1996 for spring and summer,in 1997 for autumn and winter.T_max shifts occurred in 1997 for spring and 1996 for summer.T_min shifts occurred in 1997 for spring,summer and winter as well as in 1999 for autumn.Annual mean diurnal temperature range(DTR)shows a significant decreasing trend(-0.18°C/10a)from 1979 to 2017.Summer mean DTR shows a significant decreasing trend(-0.26°C/10a)from 1979 to 2017 with a shift occurred in 2010.After removing longitude and latitude factors,we can learn that the warming enhancement rate of average annual temperature is 0.0673°C/km/10a,indicating that the temperature warming trend is accelerating with the continuous increase of altitude.The increase rate of elevation temperature is 0.0371°C/km/10a in spring,0.0457°C/km/10a in summer,0.0707°C/km/10a in autumn,and 0.0606°C/km/10a in winter,which indicates that there is a clear EDW in the QLM.The main causes of warming in the Qilian Mountains are human activities,cloudiness,ice-snow feedback and El Nino phenomenon.

Using satellite-derived land surface temperatures to clarify the spatiotemporal warming trends of the Alborz Mountains in northern Iran

The Alborz Mountains are some of the highest in Iran,and they play an important role in controlling the climate of the country’s northern regions.The land surface temperature(LST)is an important variable that affects the ecosystem of this area.This study investigated the spatiotemporal changes and trends of the nighttime LST in the western region of the Central Alborz Mountains at elevations of 1500-4000 m above sea level.MODIS data were extracted for the period of 2000-2021,and the Mann-Kendall nonparametric test was applied to evaluating the changes in the LST.The results indicated a significant increasing trend for the monthly average LST in May-August along the southern aspect.Both the northern and southern aspects showed decreasing trends for the monthly average LST in October,November,and March and an increasing trend in other months.At all elevations,the average decadal change in the monthly average LST was more severe along the southern aspect(0.60°C)than along the northern aspect(0.37°C).The LST difference between the northern and southern aspects decreased in the cold months but increased in the hot months.At the same elevation,the difference in the lapse rate between the northern and southern aspects was greater in the hot months than in the cold months.With increasing elevation,the lapse rate between the northern and southern aspects disappeared.Climate change was concluded to greatly decrease the difference in LST at different elevations for April-July.

Climate-Vegetation Coverage Interactions in the Hengduan Mountains Area, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau, and Their Downstream Effects

Little is known about the mechanism of climate-vegetation coverage coupled changes in the Tibetan Plateau(TP)region,which is the most climatically sensitive and ecologically fragile region with the highest terrain in the world.This study,using multisource datasets(including satellite data and meteorological observations and reanalysis data)revealed the mutual feedback mechanisms between changes in climate(temperature and precipitation)and vegetation coverage in recent decades in the Hengduan Mountains Area(HMA)of the southeastern TP and their influences on climate in the downstream region,the Sichuan Basin(SCB).There is mutual facilitation between rising air temperature and increasing vegetation coverage in the HMA,which is most significant during winter,and then during spring,but insignificant during summer and autumn.Rising temperature significantly enhances local vegetation coverage,and vegetation greening in turn heats the atmosphere via enhancing net heat flux from the surface to the atmosphere.The atmospheric heating anomaly over the HMA thickens the atmospheric column and increases upper air pressure.The high pressure anomaly disperses downstream via the westerly flow,expands across the SCB,and eventually increases the SCB temperature.This effect lasts from winter to the following spring,which may cause the maximum increasing trend of the SCB temperature and vegetation coverage in spring.These results are helpful for estimating future trends in climate and eco-environmental variations in the HMA and SCB under warming scenarios,as well as seasonal forecasting based on the connection between the HMA eco-environment and SCB climate.

Surface air temperature change in the Wuyi Mountains,southeast China

Detecting changes in surface air temperature in mid-and low-altitude mountainous regions is essential for a comprehensive understanding of warming trend with altitude.We use daily surface air temperature data from 64 meteorological stations in Wuyi Mountains and its adjacent regions to analyze the spatio-temporal patterns of temperature change.The results show that Wuyi Mountains have experienced significant warming from 1961 to 2018.The warming trend of the mean temperature is 0.20℃/decade,the maximum temperature is 0.17℃/decade,and the minimum temperature is 0.26℃/decade.In 1961-1990,more than 63%of the stations showed a decreasing trend in annual mean temperature,mainly because the maximum temperature decreased during this period.However,in 1971-2000,1981-2010 and 1991-2018,the maximum,minimum and mean temperatures increased.The fastest increasing trend of mean temperature occurred in the southeastern coastal plains,the quickest increasing trend of maximum temperature occurred in the northwestern mountainous region,and the increase of minimum temperature occurred faster in the southeastern coastal and northwestern mountainous regions than that in the central area.Meanwhile,this study suggests that elevation does not affect warming in the Wuyi Mountains.These results are beneficial for understanding climate change in humid subtropical middle and low mountains.

Changes in snow cover extent in the Central Taurus Mountains from 1981 to 2021 in relation to temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric teleconnections

The snow cover over the Taurus Mountains affects water supply, agriculture, and hydropower generation in the region. In this study, we analyzed the monthly Snow Cover Extent(SCE) from November to April in the Central Taurus Mountains(Bolkar, Aladaglar, Tahtali and Binboga Mountains) from 1981 to 2021. Linear trends of snow cover season(November to April) over the last 41 years showed decreases in SCE primarily at lower elevations. The downward trend in SCE was found to be more pronounced and statistically significant for only November and March. SCE in the Central Taurus Mountains has declined about-6.3% per decade for 2500-3000 m in November and about-6.0% per decade for 1000-1500 m and 3000+ m in March over the last 41 years. The loss of SCE has become evident since the 2000s, and the lowest negative anomalies in SCE have been observed in 2014, 2001, and 2007 in the last 41 years, which are consistent with an increase in air temperature and decreased precipitation. SCE was correlated with both mean temperature and precipitation, with temperature having a greater relative importance at all elevated gradients. Results showed that there is a strong linear relationship between SCE and the mean air temperature(r =-0.80) and precipitation(r = 0.44) for all elevated gradients during the snow season. The Arctic Oscillation(AO), the North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO), and the Mediterranean Oscillation(MO) winter indices were used to explain the year-to-year variability in SCE over the Central Taurus Mountains. The results showed that the inter-annual variability observed in the winter SCE on the Central Taurus Mountains was positively correlated with the phases of the winter AO, NAO and MO, especially below 2000 m elevation.

Analysis of plant resources and diversity in the southeast area of Taihang Mountains

Taihang Mountains are situated between Shanxi Province and the North China Plain,spanning Beijing,Hebei,Shanxi,and Henan provinces and cities.The mountains extend from northeast to southwest for over 400 km,naturally deviding the second step from the third one in China.The southeastern area of Taihang Mountains specifically refers to Changzhi City and Jincheng Administrative Region of Shanxi Province.Given Shanxi Province’s robust development plans for the southeast area of Taihang Mountains,the medicinal plant resources in this area will be affected.Therefore,it is imperative and urgent to conduct a comprehensive investigation and study on the medicinal plant resources in the southeast area of Taihang Mountains.By means of field investigation,literature review,and specimen identification,the plant resources and diversity of two counties in the southeast of Taihang Mountains were evaluated.The findings revealed 234 plants species across 172 genera in 70 families,primarily comprising angiosperms.The families with more species included Compositae,Leguminosae,Rosaceae,Labiatae,Ranunculaceae.Among the genera,those with more species were Cynanchum,Selaginella,Clematis,Thalictrum,and Rhamnus.A total of 114 medicinal plants were identified,constituting 48.72%of the total.Regarding medicinal parts,the concentration is in roots and rhizomes,followed by whole plants and fruits.On the basis of investigation and study,some suggestions on the development,utilization,and protection of medicinal plant resources in southeast Taihang Mountains were made.These suggestions provide valuable insights for the study on medicinal plant resources and vegetation in the southeast of Taihang Mountains,serving as a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable utilization of wild medicinal plant resources.

Spatial differences of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)among counties(cities)on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains

The county(city)located on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains is the primary area to solidify and extend the success of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China in poverty alleviation.Its Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)are intertwined with the concerted economic and social development of Xinjiang and the objective of achieving shared prosperity within the region.This study established a sustainable development evaluation framework by selecting 15 SDGs and 20 secondary indicators from the United Nations’SDGs.The aim of this study is to quantitatively assess the progress of SDGs at the county(city)level on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains.The results indicate that there are substantial variations in the scores of SDGs among the nine counties and one city located on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains.Notable high scores of SDGs are observed in the central and eastern regions,whereas lower scores are prevalent in the western areas.The scores of SDGs,in descending order,are as follows:62.22 for Minfeng County,54.22 for Hotan City,50.21 for Qiemo County,42.54 for Moyu County,41.56 for Ruoqiang County,41.39 for Qira County,39.86 for Lop County,38.25 for Yutian County,38.10 for Pishan County,and 36.87 for Hotan County.The performances of SDGs reveal that Hotan City,Lop County,Minfeng County,and Ruoqiang County have significant sustainable development capacity because they have three or more SDGs ranked as green color.However,Hotan County,Moyu County,Qira County,and Yutian County show the poorest performance,as they lack SDGs with green color.It is important to establish and enhance mechanisms that can ensure sustained income growth among poverty alleviation beneficiaries,sustained improvement in the capacity of rural governance,and the gradual improvement of social security system.These measures will facilitate the effective implementation of SDGs.Finally,this study offers a valuable support for governmental authorities and relevant departments in their decision-making processes.In addition,these results hold significant reference value for assessing SDGs at the county(city)level,particularly in areas characterized by low levels of economic development.

A CMIP6-based assessment of regional climate change in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains

Climate warming profoundly affects hydrological changes,agricultural production,and human society.Arid and semi-arid areas of China are currently displaying a marked trend of warming and wetting.The Chinese Tianshan Mountains(CTM)have a high climate sensitivity,rendering the region particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate warming.In this study,we used monthly average temperature and monthly precipitation data from the CN05.1 gridded dataset(1961-2014)and 24 global climate models(GCMs)of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6(CMIP6)to assess the applicability of the CMIP6 GCMs in the CTM at the regional scale.Based on this,we conducted a systematic review of the interannual trends,dry-wet transitions(based on the standardized precipitation index(SPI)),and spatial distribution patterns of climate change in the CTM during 1961-2014.We further projected future temperature and precipitation changes over three terms(near-term(2021-2040),mid-term(2041-2060),and long-term(2081-2100))relative to the historical period(1961-2014)under four shared socio-economic pathway(SSP)scenarios(i.e.,SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,SSP3-7.0,and SSP5-8.5).It was found that the CTM had experienced significant warming and wetting from 1961 to 2014,and will also experience warming in the future(2021-2100).Substantial warming in 1997 was captured by both the CN05.1 derived from interpolating meteorological station data and the multi-model ensemble(MME)from the CMIP6 GCMs.The MME simulation results indicated an apparent wetting in 2008,which occurred later than the wetting observed from the CN05.1 in 1989.The GCMs generally underestimated spring temperature and overestimated both winter temperature and spring precipitation in the CTM.Warming and wetting are more rapid in the northern part of the CTM.By the end of the 21st century,all the four SSP scenarios project warmer and wetter conditions in the CTM with multiple dry-wet transitions.However,the rise in precipitation fails to counterbalance the drought induced by escalating temperature in the future,so the nature of the drought in the CTM will not change at all.Additionally,the projected summer precipitation shows negative correlation with the radiative forcing.This study holds practical implications for the awareness of climate change and subsequent research in the CTM.

Site classification of the eastern forest region of Daxing'an Mountains

Based on the plot data from the investigation and the theory of forest ecology and ecological system,the site classification of the eastern forest region of Daxing’an Mountains was made by mean of mathematical method. The main factors were slope, thickness of soil layer, slope position and slope aspect. Grades of slope were used as the division standard for site type group. The slope aspect, slope position and thickness of soil layer were used as the division standards for site type. Altogether 7 site type groups and 15 main site types were determined the region. It provided reliable fundamental basis for the reasonable management and planting design in the area.

Population Characteristics of Dendrolims Superans in Daxing'an Mountains

Dendrolims superans produced one generation every two years Large larvae and small larvae exist at the sametime. lt broke out in Daxiang an Mountains in 1990. and seriously destroyed growth of Larix gmelum Rupr In order to control D Superans.the population properties of D.superans were stedied from 1991 to 1992 including sex ratio.age distribution. pattern etc.. The sex ratio of D. superans population is The larvae age distrihution indicates that larvaeover 5 instar is less than younger larvae under 4 instar in Yongqing forest farm- but the younger larvae under 4 instar is morethan larvae over 5 instar in Hanjiayuanzi Forest Farm. The population of D. superans in Yongqing Farm has heen declining.and incrcasing in Hanjiayuanzi. Pupae and eggs are mainly distributed in middle and lower crowns layer of trees. respec-tively account for 66% and 59.5%, of total individuals. The pupae in higher cown layer is lightly regular distrihution. andclumping distribution middle and lower crowns layer of trees. The eggs in higher crown is light clumpin1g distribution. andrandom in middle and low crown of tree.

Spatial and temporal patterns of the sensitivity of radial growth response by Picea schrenkiana to regional climate change in the Tianshan Mountains

Climate change significantly impacts forest ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions.However,spatiotemporal patterns of climate-sensitive changes in individual tree growth under increased climate warming and precipitation in north-west China is unclear.The dendrochronological method was used to study climate response sensitivity of radial growth of Picea schrenkiana from 158 trees at six sites during 1990-2020.The results show that climate warming and increased precipitation significantly promoted the growth of trees.The response to temperature first increased,then decreased.However,the response to increased precipitation and the self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index(scPDSI)increased significantly.In most areas of the Tianshan Mountains,the proportion of trees under increased precipitation and scPDSI positive response was relatively high.Over time,small-diameter trees were strongly affected by drought stress.It is predicted that under continuous warming and increased precipitation,trees in most areas of the Tianshan Mountains,especially those with small diameters,will be more affected by precipitation.

Regression of East Tethys resulted in a center of biodiversity: A study of Mysmenidae spiders from the Gaoligong Mountains, China

DEAR EDITOR,This research involved the study of 31 species from the spider family Mysmenidae Petrunkevitch,1928,found in the Gaoligong Mountains of China,including one new genus and 13 new species.Our results suggested that regression of East Tethys contributed to the appearance of a center of biodiversity.The Tethys,a classical and hot topic in geology.It has undergone a succession of significant geodynamic transformations,transitioning from an ancient ocean to the current Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt.Notably,the East Tethys,serving as an invaluable lens through which to study continental geology and geodynamics,has played a pivotal role in triggering the major geological reconstructions of the entire Tethys(Pan et al.,1997).

Soil microbial community diversity and distribution characteristics under three vegetation types in the Qilian Mountains, China

Qilian Mountains in Northwest China is a significant ecological security barrier due to its distinctive geographic setting,which has significant biological resource and gene pool.In order to assess the soil quality and ecosystem health in this area,we identified the structural characteristics and functional groups of soil microbial communities.This study focused on Amidongsuo,a typical watershed of the Qilian Mountains,and researched the vertical distribution and dominant populations of soil microorganisms in different habitats,and the relationship between soil microorganisms and environmental factors.Soil microorganisms from three grassland plots,five shrubland plots,and five forest plots in Amidongsuo were studied using high-throughput sequencing.The Venn diagram showed that the types of bacteria were fewer than those of fungi in Amidongsuo.Soil bacteria Acidobacteriota,Proteobacteria,and Methylomirabilota as well as fungi Basidiomycota,Ascomycota,and Mortierellomycota played dominant roles in Amidongsuo,according to the LEfSe(linear discriminant analysis(LDA)effect size)and community structure analyses.According to the ANOSIM(analysis of similarities)result,for both bacteria and fungi,R values of grassland and shrubland were small(R^(2)=0.045 and R^(2)=0.256,respectively),indicating little difference between these two ecosystems.RDA(redundancy analysis)showed a closer relationship between soil nutrients and fungi,and a gradually decreasing correlation between soil nutrients and microorganisms with increasing soil depth.Bacteria were mainly affected by pH,nitrogen(N),and potassium(K),while fungi were mainly affected by K.Overall,fungi had more effect on soil quality than bacteria.Therefore,adjustment of soil K content might improve the soil environment of Amidongsuo in the Qilian Mountains.

Altitude as environmental filtering influencing phylogenetic diversity and species richness of plants in tropical mountains

Elucidating how multiple factors affect biodiversity and plant community assembly is a central issue in ecology,especially in vulnerable ecosystems such as tropical mountains.These studies are more relevant in global warming scenarios that induce the upward displacement of plant species towards reduced habitats and hostile environments in tropical mountains.This study aimed to analyze how altitude affects taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities of tropical mountains.Thus,we tested if(i)increased altitude works as an environmental filtering promoting decreased species richness,decreased phylogenetic diversity,and increased phylogenetic clustering in these tropical mountains;and if(ii)plant communities of high altitude in tropical mountains are also result of recent diversification with plant species recently split shortening phylogenetic distances between closest related species.We tested effects of altitude on species richness and phylogenetic metrics using linear mixed-effects models.Mount Haleakala presented 114 species,Mount Kilimanjaro presented 231 species and Mount Purace presented 280 species.We found an environmental filtering effect with increasing altitude causing phylogenetic clustering,decreased phylogenetic diversity and decreased species richness.The decreasing phylogenetic distances between closest relatives are congruent with neo-endemics,suggesting recent plant diversification in high altitudes of tropical mountains,possibly driven by geographic isolation and environmental heterogeneity.Consequences of global warming should be monitored in tropical mountains focusing on distribution shifts.

Spatial Coupling Relationship and Driving Mechanism of Population and Economy in Rural Areas in Qinling-Daba Mountains,China

Addressing the issue of the healthy and coordinated development of the population and economic factors in rural areas will not only help consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation,but will also lay a foundation for comprehensive rural revitalization.In this paper,the spatial coupling relationship between the population and economic factors in rural areas in the QinlingDaba Mountains,China,is explored to provide a reference for rural revitalization and regional sustainable development in poverty areas.Sixty-eight county units in rural areas in the Qinling-Daba Mountains,as well as the population and economic factors in rural areas,are used to study the spatial coupling relationship between population and economy,as well as the driving mechanism,in rural areas in the Qinling-Daba Mountains from 2010 to 2020.The results show that a population contraction phenomenon occurred in the rural areas in the Qinling-Daba Mountains,and the spatial agglomeration trends of the population and economic factors were consistent.The agglomeration was mainly located in the suburban areas of the municipal area,and the agglomeration degree was significantly higher in these areas than in other areas.In terms of the spatial distribution,the economic development level of the rural areas in the northeastern part of the Qinling-Daba Mountains was generally higher than that in the central and western parts,and the unbalanced trends of the population and economic spatial differentiation in the eastern and western regions were significant.The spatial coupling relationship between the population and economy changed from coordinated development to economic advancement.This was mainly due to the mutual restriction and joint actions of the industrial structure,capital situation,natural environment,policies,and institutional regulations,among which the industrial structure and capital status had significant effects.

Forest succession trajectories after fi res in valleys and on slopes in the Greater Khingan Mountains,China

Accurate assessment of postfire vegetation recovery is important for forest management and the conservation of species diversity.Topography is an important factor aff ecting vegetation recovery but whether species composition varies with diff erent recovery stages and between valleys and slopes is unclear.Using fi eld data and a space-for-time substitution method,we quantifi ed species richness and diversity to obtain the successional trajectories of valleys and slopes.We surveyed the species of 10 burned areas from 1986 to 2010 in the Greater Khingan Mountains in northeastern China,and found that with increasing postfi re recovery time,species richness in both valleys and slopes gradually decreased.However,species richness in valleys was relatively higher.Shrubs recovered rapidly in the valleys,and species diversity maximized approximately 11 years after fi re.However,it maximized 17–18 years after fi re on the slopes.Numerous shade-tolerant species were present in the valleys 11 years after fi re but not until after 18 years on slopes.Larch appeared earlier than 11 years after fi re and its recovery was slow in the valleys but appeared quickly on slopes and established dominance early.Our study provides some new insights into vegetation succession after fi re at local scales.After fi re,the vegetation recovery processes diff er with topography and it aff ects the initial rate of recovery and species composition at diff erent successional stages.

Spatio-temporal variation of water conservation and its impact factors on the southern slope of Qilian Mountains

The ecology of Qilian Mountains has been seriously threatened by uncontrolled grazing and wasteland reclamation. This study examined the ecological changes on the southern slope of Qilian Mountains in China from the perspective of water conservation by classifying different clusters of water conservation functional areas to efficiently use limited human resources to tackle the water conservation protection problem. In this study, we used Integrate Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs(InVEST) model to estimate water conservation and analyzed the factors that influence the function. The results of this study include:(1) from 2000 to 2015, the water conservation of the southern slope of Qilian Mountains generally showed an increasing trend, and the total water conservation in 2015 increased by 42.18% compared with that in 2000.(2) Rainfall, fractional vegetation cover(FVC), and evapotranspiration have the most significant influence on the water conservation of the study area. Among them, water conservation is positively correlated with rainfall and FVC(P<0.05) and negatively correlated with evapotranspiration(P<0.05).(3) The importance level of water conservation functional areas gradually increases from northwest to southeast, and the region surrounding Menyuan Hui Autonomous County in the southeast of the southern slope of Qilian Mountains is the core water conservation functional area. And(4) the study area was divided into five clusters(Cluster Ⅰ–Cluster Ⅴ) of water conservation, with the areas of Clusters Ⅰ through Ⅴ accounting for 0.58%, 13.74%, 41.23%, 32.43%, and 12.01% of the whole study area, respectively.