Geomorphological regionalization theory system and division methodology of China

Abstract

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.

Statistical spatiotemporal analysis of hydro-morphological processes in China during 1950–2015

“…For a vast area such as the whole Chinese territory and for studying the hydro-geomorphological processes resulting from HMPs, a geomorphic-region provides the appropriate spatial partition to differentiate between natural environments. Here we adopted the same geomorphic-region proposed by the (Wang et al 2020). Therefore, we subdivided the Chinese territory into six major geomorphic-regions (Table 1 and Fig.…”

“…As previously mentioned, the East Asia summer monsoon affects most regions (SEM, EP, SWM and southern NCP) in China leading them to display similar inter-annual temporal patterns. However, apart from the hydro-climatic influence on a large scale, the localized terrain characteristics varying greatly across China, with Karst in its south-western region, loess covering its central part, as well as the desert and Gobi extended through the broaden northwestern China (Wang et al 2020). Besides, the regional differences in soil features, vegetation, human activities, etc.…”

Exploring disaster ontologies from Chinese and Western perspectives: commonalities and nuances

“…Spanning over 9.6 million km 2 , China has a vast range of climatic zones and terrain (Fan, 2016), including the tallest tectonically active mountain range on Earth, the high plateau of Exploring disaster ontologies Tibet, extensive deserts, sub-tropical karst landscapes and large dynamic river plains. Wang et al (2020) comprehensively classifies the terrain into 25 geomorphological zones. The simple conceptualisation of a staircase-like topography, with decreasing elevation from west to east, is used to partly explain the distribution of geological hazards at the steep transitions between steps (Shi et al, 2016).…”

Emerging Line of Research Approach in Precision Agriculture: An Insight Study

“…It is believed that crop production is significantly affected by the terrain features studied in the phytogeomorphological mechanism [16]. The evolution of the phytogeomorphological mechanism is due to the realizationthat the hydrological factors of farmland are controlled by geomorphic components [17].The proliferation of various satellite navigation systems has further boosted the adoption of precision agriculture [18]. Adopting such a navigation system helps localize an appropriate location of the agricultural land suitable for production.…”