Intense uplift of the Tibetan Plateau in Late Cenozoic Era is one of the most important events in geological history of the Earth. The plateau offers an ideal region for studying of lithospheric formation and evolution, probing into the mechanism of crustal movement, and understanding of changes in environments and geo-ecosystems in Asia. Intense uplift ofthe plateau resulted in drastic changes of natural environment and apparent regional differentiation on the plateau proper and neighboring regions. The plateau therefore becomes a sensitive area of climate change in Asian monsoon region, which is closely related to the global change. As a special physical unit, its ecosystems occupy a prominent position in the world. Due to its extremely high elevation and great extent, natural types and characteristics of physical landscapes on the plateau are quite different from those in lowlands at comparable latitudes, and environments are also different from those in high latitudinal zones. Consequently, the Tibetan Plateau has been classified as one of three giant physical regions in China and considered as a unique unit on Earth. Scientific surveys and expeditions to the Tibetan Plateau on large scale began from 1950's. Amongst them, a number of comprehensive scientific expeditions to the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region, Hengduan Mts. areas, Karakorum and Kunlun Mts. regions, as well as the Hoh Xii Mts. areas, have been successively carried out by the Integrated Scientific Expedition to Tibetan Plateau, sponsored by Chinese Academy of Sciences since 1973.

Klappentext

This book is a summary of the major achievements resulting from those integrated research projects on the Tibetan Plateau that have been carried out in particular over the last decade. It covers the fundamental issues regarding geoecology and sustainable mountain development on the Plateau. The first part discusses the evolution and differentiation of physical environments, uplifting, environmental changes, and natural zonation of the Plateau. The second part focuses respectively on environments, ecosystems, and sustainable development. The third part contains case studies on Namjabarwa Mountains, Hengduan Mountains, Qiangtang Plateau, and Kunlun Mountains. br/ emAudience:/em The book is geared to the needs of policy makers, geographers, professors, environmental managers, and researchers at a graduate level.

Inhalt
Uplift and Environmental Changes of the Tibetan Plateau.- Three Dimensional Differentiation of Natural Zonation.- The Population Changes and Urban Development.- Climate: Past, Present, and Future.- Permafrost: Status, Variation and Impacts.- Biodiversity: Biota and Biocoenose.- Human Health Aspect in Geoecology.- Land-Use and Agricultural Development.- Natural Hazards and Environmental Issues.- Nature Conservation.- Regional Social-Economic Sustainable Development.- Geo-Ecology of Mts. Namjagbarwa Region.- Dry Valleys in Hengduan Mts Region.- High-Cold Scrubs and Meadow Zone.- Hinterland of Qiangtang Plateau.- Kunlun Mountains Region.- Acknowledgements.- Contributors.