Geomorphological regionalization theory system and division methodology of China

Geomorphological regionalization(geomor-region)and geomorphological type(geomor-type)classification are two core components in the geomorphologic research.Although remarkable achievements have been made in the study of geomor-region,many deficiencies still exist,such as the inconsistency of landform indicators,the small quantity of division orders,disparities of geomorphological characteristics,differences of mapping results,and the small scale of zoning maps.Requirements for improved national geomor-regions are therefore needed for the purpose of an enhanced national geo-information system.Based on theories of geomor-region in China including plate tectonics,crustal features,endogenic and exogenic forced geomorphological features,and regional differentiations of geomor-type,a three-order(major-region,sub-region,and small-region)research program on China’s geomor-regions is proposed on the basis of previous 2013 geomor-region system.The major contents of the new geomor-region scheme are:(1)principles of the national multi-order geomor-regions;(2)hierarchical indicator systems of geomor-regions including characteristics of the terrain ladder under the control of tectonic setting,combinations of regional macro-form types,combinations of endogenic and exogenic forces and basic types of morphology,combinations of regional morphological types,and combinations of regional micro-morphological types;(3)naming rules and coding methods of geomor-regions;and(4)precise positioning techniques and methods of multi-order geomor-region divisions based on multi-source data.Using the new geomor-region theory and division methodology,the partition of national three-order geomor-regions of China was successfully constructed.The geomor-region system divided China into six first-order major-regions,36 second-order sub-regions,and 136 third-order small-regions.In addition,a database and management information system of the national geomor-regions were established.This research has an important guiding significance for promoting the development of China’s regional geomorphology and for practical applications based on geomor-regions.

Digital regionalization of geomorphology in Xinjiang

This paper presents a method of geomorphologic regionalization for Xinjiang, with the use of Srtm-DEM (resolution 90 m) and TM images for 1990 (resolution 30 m). After interpretation and classification of geomorphologic types, the present research focuses on the qualitative and quantitative distribution of different geomorphologic types based on geographical grid analysis. Then, by using system clustering analysis method, geomorphologic types are grouped into divisions. The resulting geomorphologic regionalization hierarchy of Xinjiang includes three levels, i.e., macro-landform divisions, medium-landform divisions, and micro-landform divisions, containing 6, 23 and 200 types, respectively. This method makes it possible to digitally delimit geomorphologic regions. Comparison and verification show that the spatial precision of the boundaries of geomorphologic subareas in Xinjiang is very high.