Arid Zone Research ›› 2020, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1): 236-243.

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Ecological Function Regionalization in the Weihe River Basin

WANG Li-xia1, ZHANG Ming-shuang2, SUI Li-chun1, 3, ZHANG Shuang-cheng1, YANG Yun1   

  1. 1. School of Geologic Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054,Shaanxi,China;
    2. School of Earth Science and Resources, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054,Shaanxi,China;
    3. National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, Engineering Research Center of  Geographic National Conditions Monitoring, Xi’an 710054,Shaanxi,China

  • Received:2019-02-27 Revised:2019-07-24 Online:2020-01-15 Published:2020-01-15

Abstract:  Ecological function regionalization is the basis for scientific management and sustainable exploitation of natural resources. In this study, the Weihe River Basin was taken as the research object to develop a reasonable index system according to the current ecological environment in the drainage basin, and the GIS and RS means were used to regionalize the study area. Moreover, the emphases of conservation and construction of the ecological environment were worked out based on considering the dominant ecological functions or the main ecological problems in each functional area. The results showed that the Weihe River Basin could be divided into seven ecological functional zones, and the corresponding construction priorities were formulated:    Drought prevention and control zone: It should be strictly forbidden to cut down vegetation, and the drought-tolerant vegetation should be advisably cultivated for preventing soil drought;   Farming zone: The agricultural structure should be rationally adjusted;  Animal husbandry development zone: The advantages of agro-pastoral ecotone should be paid great attention to;    Water conservation zone: It was suggested to establish the vegetation protection areas and national forest parks and vigorously develop the water conservation projects;    Wind prevention and sand fixation zone: It was suggested to plant sand-fixing plants and prevent land desertification;   Vegetation protection zone: It was suggested to protect the existing vegetation, continuously strengthen greening, and reasonably maintain the vegetation resources;   Soil erosion control zone: It was suggested to protect and rationally exploit the water and soil resources. The study results could provide a scientific basis for effectively exploiting and utilizing the natural resources and rationally taking some measures to protect the ecological environment in the study area.

Key words:  Weihe River Basin, ecological function regionalization, spatial analysis, ecological environment, construction emphasis