Pronounced variability in the landscapes of the upper Yellow River basin reflects complex inter-relationships between tectonics, climate and surficial processes over time. While the process of landscape classification...Pronounced variability in the landscapes of the upper Yellow River basin reflects complex inter-relationships between tectonics, climate and surficial processes over time. While the process of landscape classification necessarily involves assumptions and the simplification of reality, it still provides a useful organizational framework within which the nature and controls upon these relationships can be examined. This paper groups the landscapes of the Yellow River source zone into 10 primary classes through GIS analysis of global SRTM 90 m DEM. Landscapes of this region range from the high-elevation, low-relief plains of the up- per plateau, through the narrow high-relief valleys of the Anyemaqen Shan （Mountains） in the central basin, to the dramatically incised landscapes within the Tongde and Gonghe sedi- mentary basins at the downstream end of the study area. A description of each of the landscape classes is presented and the interplay between tectonics, climate and surficial processes over time is examined. The importance of placing the landscapes into the context of the evolutionary history of the Yellow River source zone is emphasized, in particular the evolution of the drainage system and its influence upon present landscape dynamics.展开更多
基金International Science ＆ Technology Cooperation Program of China, No.2011DFG93160 No.2011DFA20820 National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.41001008 Acknowledgements Gary Brierley gratefully acknowledges support from a Visiting Professorship awarded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. We thank Carola Cullum for assistance in communicating our understanding of approaches to landscape classification and ecosystem mapping.
文摘Pronounced variability in the landscapes of the upper Yellow River basin reflects complex inter-relationships between tectonics, climate and surficial processes over time. While the process of landscape classification necessarily involves assumptions and the simplification of reality, it still provides a useful organizational framework within which the nature and controls upon these relationships can be examined. This paper groups the landscapes of the Yellow River source zone into 10 primary classes through GIS analysis of global SRTM 90 m DEM. Landscapes of this region range from the high-elevation, low-relief plains of the up- per plateau, through the narrow high-relief valleys of the Anyemaqen Shan （Mountains） in the central basin, to the dramatically incised landscapes within the Tongde and Gonghe sedi- mentary basins at the downstream end of the study area. A description of each of the landscape classes is presented and the interplay between tectonics, climate and surficial processes over time is examined. The importance of placing the landscapes into the context of the evolutionary history of the Yellow River source zone is emphasized, in particular the evolution of the drainage system and its influence upon present landscape dynamics.
