Effects of fuelwood collection and timber harvesting on giant panda habitat use

Timber harvesting and fuelwood collection have dramatically reduced the total amount of forestland around the world, including in China. To understand how timber harvesting and fuelwood collection activities affect use by wildlife, we examined giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) use within Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, southwest China. We evaluated giant panda use of habitat by observing the presence/absence of panda feces in 913 field plots. Newly harvested areas (0-10 years) had the lowest frequency of feces presence (3%), while unharvested forests had the highest (36%). Feces presence is influenced by bamboo cover, overstory and midstory composition, slope, aspect and distance to human activity. Results suggest that timber harvesting and fuelwood collection have important impacts on the use of forested habitats and panda use is reduced for several decades after harvests. However, as the forest regenerates, panda habitat may begin to recover after a period of at least 37 years. This has potential implications for the long-term conservation of panda habitats and suggests that if forestland is maintained via the Natural Forest Conservation Program (China’s logging ban), habitats that were previously harvested may eventually regenerate and increase the potential for the species long-term survival.     

The effects of understory bamboo on broad-scale estimates of giant panda habitat

Understory vegetation is an important habitat component for many wildlife species. Previous broad-scale studies on biodiversity and wildlife habitat have suffered from a lack of detailed information about understory distribution. Consequently, it is unclear how understory distribution influences the analysis of habitat quantity and spatial distribution. To address this problem, we compared estimates of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitat with and without understory bamboo. The results show that the spatial distribution of bamboo has a substantial effect on the quantity and spatial arrangement of panda habitat. Total amount of estimated habitat decreased by 29-52% and decreased connectivity was notable after bamboo information was incorporated into the analyses. The decreases in the quantity and quality of panda habitat resulted in a decrease of 41% in the estimated carrying capacity. Our results suggest that it is necessary to incorporate understory vegetation into large-scale wildlife habitat research and management to avoid overestimation of habitat and improve broad-scale analyses of species distributions and biodiversity estimates in general.     

The Tangjiahe,Wanglang, and Fengtongzhai giant panda reserves and biological conservation in the people's Republic of China

The People's Republic of China has designated a system of reserves in the mountains that rim the Sichuan Basin as areas to be managed specifically for the conservation of the giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca. We were invited to visit three of these reserves in April and May 1981 as guests of the China Association for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Forestry. Two reserves, Wanglang (27,000 ha) and Tangjiahe (40,000 ha) are located in the headwaters of the northern tributtaries of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) in the Min Shan, 400 km north of Chengdu. The Fengtongzhai (40,000 ha), type locality of Ailuropoda, is in the Qionglai Shah, 250 km west of Chengdu. We describe the physiography, faunistic and floristic position, and conservation management of these areas. Major issues in the conservation of Ailuropoda are discussed.     

汶川强震区都江堰市双养子沟泥石流调查

 2010年都江堰地区“8·13”强降雨导致该市龙池镇双养子沟爆发泥石流灾害。此次泥石流发生在汶川地震的高烈度区,是地震与降雨共同作用下的结果,研究其形成及成灾过程对认识强震区泥石流的发育意义重大。通过对此次泥石流灾害的现场调查,分析双养子沟泥石流流域特征,特别是在地震和暴雨共同作用下的泥石流沟道特征,讨论泥石流的起动方式。结果表明：双养子沟内崩塌滑坡体十分发育,沟床含有丰富的固体松散物质,沟内还分布有多处跌水坎及天然堆石坝;双养子沟道右岸滑坡体H1是在强降雨情况下失稳滑入沟床,堵塞沟道,然后在洪水作用下溃决形成泥石流的;泥石流沟在20a一遇或大于20a一遇强降雨条件下很有可能再次爆发泥石流。     

Karyological diversity of wild Rosa in Yunnan, southwestern China

Wild Rosa resources in Yunnan are very abundant and hold many important and useful traits for improving modern rose. However, many of them have no cytological data and few were karyologically analysed. In this article, karyological study of 24 wild Rosa taxa belonging to different sections was carried out by means of traditional squashing and pressing. The chromosome number of 8 taxa and karyotypes of most studied ones were reported for the first time. 22 resources were diploids with 14 chromosomes (2n = 2x = 14), while Rosa moyesii Hemsl. et Wils. and Rosa macrophylla Lindl. from Sect. Cinnamomeae DC. were hexaploids with 42 chromosomes (2n = 6x = 42). Only type 1A and type 2A been found, karyotypes of genus Rosa in Yunnan were symmetric. Also, the studied taxa differed much from each other in chromosome length, position of centromere, satellite position and satellite number, etc. The results implied that wild Rosa germplasm in Yunnan were rich in karyologcal diversity, and polyploidization might have played and were still playing very important roles in the evolution and speciation in genus Rosa, mainly in Sect. Cinnamomeae in alpine areas of northwestern Yunnan. The cytological data would supply chromosomal proofs not only for the taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution of genus Rosa in this special geological area, but also for the exploitation of useful traits of wild Rosa into the breeding of new cultivars.     

Soil-water interacting use patterns driven by Ziziphus jujuba on the Chenier Island in the Yellow River Delta,China

The determination of water use patterns of plants in a coastal ecosystem is critical to our understanding of local eco-hydrological processes and predicting trends in ecological succession under the background of global climate change. The water use patterns of Ziziphus jujuba, the dominant species on the Chenier Island in the Yellow River Delta, were examined following summer rainfall events. Stable oxygen isotope analysis was employed to analyze the effects of rainfall on the stable isotopic composition in potential water sources in Z. jujuba. The IsoSource model was used to estimate the contributions of potential water sources for xylem water in Z. jujuba. The results showed heavy rainfall could recharge both soil and groundwater but contributed little to the δ¹⁸O values in deep soil water (60–100 cm) and groundwater. Light rainfall had an effect only on surface soil water (0–40 cm). Z. jujuba mainly absorbed deep soil water on non-rainy days. Rainwater became the predominant water source for Z. jujuba during and immediately after heavy rainfall. Switching the plant’s main water source between deep soil water and rainwater provided Z. jujuba with a competitive advantage and improved the water use efficiency of Z. jujuba in this coastal ecosystem.     

秦岭北麓沣河流域矿区生境质量的时空演变及驱动因素分析

秦岭是中国的“中央水塔”,研究秦岭北麓矿山生境质量的时空演变特征对区域生态保护和可持续发展意义重大。为了评估小流域背景下人类活动对矿山生态环境的影响,该研究针对沣河流域内的重点工程祥峪铁矿区,基于遥感影像提取其1985、2002、2010年和2022年土地利用变化,结合InVEST (integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs)模型和地理探测器定量分析该矿区生境质量变化与驱动因素。结果表明：祥峪铁矿区的土地利用变化主要由旱地逐步转变为林地和工业用地,疏林地转入面积达到18245505.71 m²,退耕还林还草工程取得显著成效;祥峪铁矿区生境质量指数由0.50下降为0.49,标准差由0.06增加为0.09,说明生境质量有所下降,空间差异不断扩大,区域整体平均生境退化度降低,但工业用地迅速扩张对周边林地产生持续影响;生境质量变化是自然因素和人文因素共同作用的结果,其中,土地利用变化是造成生态环境脆弱的主要原因,对生境质量变化的解释力达到0.82。该研究可为分析其他类似矿区生态环境演变,推动景观格局的优化和生态文明建设提供科学参考。     

An integrated analysis into the causes of ungulate mortality in the Wanda Mountains (Heilongjiang Province, China) and an evaluation of habitat quality

As part of our ungulate population protection program, the specific causes of ungulate mortality were examined and the effect of single habitat on habitat selection by ungulate analyzed. An integrated occurrence–mortality model for three ungulate species (wild boar Sus scrofa L., red deer Cervus elaphus L. and roe deer Capreolus capreolus Pallas) within the Wanda Mountains of Heilongjiang Province, China was then created. Results showed that steel cable snares and poison, used to kill ungulates, were the primary threats to survival of wild boar (40.07% poison, 27.79% cable snares), red deer (51.35% poison, 40.54% cable snares) and roe deer (29.31% poison, 56.90% cable snares). Furthermore, we found evidence that aspect, slope, elevation and forest type are important factors in determining ungulate habitat preference. The integrated occurrence–mortality model indicated that 46.39% of suitable habitat was associated with mortality risk. This model correctly classified 8.06% (297.49 km²) of the study area as unsuitable habitat, 5.43% (200.44 km²) as first attractive sink-like habitat, 32.76% (1209.85 km²) as second attractive sink-like habitat, 8.20% (302.77 km²) as third attractive sink-like habitat, and 8.91% (329.00 km²), 30.53% (1127.22 km²) and 6.11% (225.29 km²) as first, second and third source-like habitats, respectively. The results indicate that source-like habitats should be preserved to prevent habitat loss and degradation, while attractive sink-like habitats should be managed effectively to mitigate mortality risks. In particular, the various authorities need to be more proactive (increase patrolling, thereby providing employment, educational opportunities and increasing income) to reduce human-caused ungulate mortality.     

西南丘陵山区土地整理方案比选研究

新增耕地潜力是土地整理项目立项决策的重要依据，而新增耕地率是新增耕地潜力的反映，直接影响项目工程布局、投资预算以及效益问题。该文以重庆市忠县拔山土地整理项目为例，依据国土资源部不同土地开发整理项目新增耕地的两种最低门槛值10%和3%，进行土地整理方案比选设计，计算得到两种土地整理方案的新增耕地率分别为10.3%和4.02%，并从经济、生态和社会3方面，分别采用动态投资评估法、可拓物元分析法、综合指数法对两方案进行比选分析。结果表明：旱地坡改梯工程布局是造成两种土地整理方案新增耕地面积差异的主要原因；农田水利、道路工程以及防护林工程布局差异不大，只存在布局力度上的差异；从方案的系统效益看，新增耕地率10.3%的方案无论是动态投资回收年、生态环境关联度、社会效益指数，还是系统效益指数均优于新增耕地率为4.02%的方案；通过典型田块采用加权算法计算净耕地系数，可以作为西南丘陵山区土地整理项目净耕地系数的计算方法，但该方法中修正系数确定需要经过实地勘测和类比，这样可避免典型田块选择的主观性。     

基于CA-Markov的土地利用时空变化与生境质量预测——以宁夏中部干旱区为例

探究干旱半干旱区土地利用结构动态变化特征，评估并预测生境质量，可为区域生态规划和恢复提供决策性依据。本研究以搭载OLI和ETM+传感器遥感影像和气象数据、社会经济数据等为基础，采用土地利用转移流概念、InVEST模型和CA-Markov模型研究2000-2030年宁夏中部干旱区土地利用和生境质量时空变化特征及规律，对未来情境进行模拟和预测。研究结果表明：宁夏中部干旱区土地系统结构变化与生态建设规划高度一致，具有黄河流域两侧集中分布的特征，土地系统综合动态度逐期减小，活跃度具有稳中有变、部分较活跃的特征。土地系统信息熵特征值呈逐年降低趋势。随着时间变化土地系统受人类活动干扰强度低，自我调整程度高，修复能力强，系统向稳定状态转化。2000-2015年研究区生态环境质量呈“U”型特征，以优秀等级为主。2015-2030年土地系统结构将发生显著变化，生境质量优秀、差和良好等级面积逐渐扩大，生态系统呈现稳定向好的趋势。本研究的多模型集成应用可为区域土地规划和生态恢复建设提供理论依据和支撑。     

Efficacy of road removal for restoring wildlife habitat: Black bear in the Northern Rocky Mountains, USA

Forest roads reduce habitat quality for wildlife, in part by increasing susceptibility to hunting and poaching. Road removal is an increasingly common strategy for restoring habitat; however, little is known about responses of wildlife to road removal versus other methods of road closure. We assessed effects of different types of road closure (gated, barriered, and recontoured) on black bear (Ursus americanus) frequency and habitat on 18 open and closed road pairs in the western USA. Over 4 years, 44 bears were photographed during 3545 camera-trap days. Bear frequency was significantly higher (2.4 versus 0.6/100 days, respectively) and human frequency was significantly lower (2.4 versus 361.6/100 days, respectively) on closed than on open roads. Additionally, abundance of fall foods was higher (23.9% and 12.8%, respectively) and line-of-sight (a measure of habitat security) shorter (54.9 versus 69.4 m, respectively) on closed compared to open roads. Bears were detected on closed but not on open roads during daytime, suggesting avoidance of humans. Among-road-treatment differences included significantly higher frequency of bears on recontoured than on gated or barriered roads (4.6, 1.6, and 0.5/100 days, respectively), and significantly higher cover of fall bear foods on recontoured than on gated or barriered roads (39.3%, 12.1% and 16.4%, respectively). Frequency of bears was negatively correlated with frequency of humans and line-of-sight distance and positively correlated with abundance of fall foods and hiding cover. Results suggest that while all types of road closure benefit sensitive wildlife, removal by recontour may be the most effective strategy for restoring habitat.     

Effect of land use on soil nutrients in the loess hilly area of the Loess Plateau,China

Understanding the effects of land use change on soil properties is important for soil quality improvement and sustainable land use. In this study, six land use types including wasteland (WLD), cropland (CLD), abandoned land (ABD), artificial grassland (AGD), shrubland (SLD) and woodland (WOD) were selected to analyse the effects of land use types on soil nutrient in the Anjiapo catchment in the western part of the Loess Plateau in China. Significant differences were found in soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate nitrogen (NON) (P < 0.01) between the six land use types. Our study also showed that land use types have different effects on soil nutrient storage, and vegetation restoration may improve soil nutrients and soil quality. While crop plantation can significantly decrease soil fertility, the trend can be reversed by cropland abandonment and afforestation. It is recommended that more C input, alternative cultivation practices, vegetation restoration and education and techniques training of local farmers could be used to improve soil conditions and to advance the sustainable land use and local development in the loess hilly area in the Loess Plateau of China. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

六盘山半湿润区坡面华北落叶松林冠层截留的时空变化及空间尺度效应

冠层截留是森林蒸散的重要组成部分,其定量描述一直是生态水文学研究的热点问题之一,相关观测研究多是在固定样地的空间尺度上进行的。林冠截留量除在样地上受降水、气象条件和冠层结构及生长过程的动态影响外,还在坡面上受植被生长和冠层结构的坡位差异而有很大空间变化和尺度效应,需对此深入理解和精细刻画,从而为实现从样地观测结果上推到坡面的尺度转换并基于此准确评价森林水文影响来提供科学依据。在六盘山香水河小流域,选择一个水平坡长425.1m的华北落叶松人工林典型坡面,并均匀划分为空间连续的16个样地。于2015年5—10月,测定了森林冠层结构(特别是叶面积指数,LAI)的坡位差异和动态变化,并同步观测了林外降雨和林内穿透雨及树干茎流,依此计算得到每次降雨事件的冠层截留量。以离坡顶水平距离(水平坡长)为尺度标量,分析林冠截留量沿坡面的时空变化规律及影响因素。结果表明,林冠截留量存在沿坡变化和坡面空间尺度效应,且月份变化明显。在整个生长季,林冠截留量沿坡变化总体表现为随水平坡长增加先升高,在坡面中部达最大,之后逐渐降低,以每100m水平坡长的变化量表示的坡面尺度效应为+5.62mm/100m(坡段0~316.6m)和-2.37mm/100m(坡段316.6~425.1m);在5月,林冠截留量沿坡变化总体表现为随坡长增加而逐渐降低,坡面尺度效应为-0.26mm/100m(0~425.1m),在6—8月,林冠截留量沿坡变化总体趋势均和整个生长季相同,6月份坡面尺度效应为+1.28mm/100m(0~261.1m)和-1.78mm/100m(261.1~425.1m),7月为+0.92mm/100m(0~267.6m)和-0.88mm/100m(267.6~425.1m),8月份为+1.28mm/100m(0~211.2m)和-0.34mm/100m(211.2~425.1m);在9月、10月,林冠截留量沿坡变化表现为随坡长增加逐渐升高,坡面尺度效应分别为+2.38mm/100m和+0.81mm/100m(0~425.1m)。林冠层叶面积指数的坡位差异及其季节变化是影响林冠截留时空变化的主导因素,各月林冠截留率均与叶面积指数呈显著正相关。可基于不同坡位样地的叶面积指数与其坡面均值的关系、叶面积指数与林冠截留量的关系以及不同坡位样地的叶面积指数测定值,上推估计林冠截留的坡面均值。     

中国滇池流域土地利用方式对土壤侵蚀和养分状况的影响

Soil erosion and loss of soil nutrients have been a crucial environment threat in Southwest China. The land use and its impact on soil qualities continue to be highlighted. The present study was conducted to compare soil erosion under four land use types(i.e.,forestland, abandoned farmland, tillage, and grassland) and their effects on soil organic carbon(SOC), total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) in the Shuanglong catchment of the Dianchi Lake watershed, China. There were large variations in the erosion rate and the nutrient distributions across the four land use types. The erosion rates estimated by137 Cs averaged 2 133 t km-2year-1under tillage and abandoned farmland over the erosion rate of non-cultivated sites, and the grasslands showed a net deposition. For all sites, the nutrient contents basically decreased with the soil depth. Compared with tillage and abandoned farmland, grassland had the highest SOC and TN contents within 0–40 cm soil layer, followed by forestland. The significant correlations between137 Cs, SOC and TN were observed. The nutrient loss caused by erosion in tillage was the highest. These results suggested that grassland and forestland would be beneficial for SOC and TN sequestration over a long-term period because of their ability to reduce the loss of nutrients by soil erosion. Our study demonstrated that reduction of nutrient loss in the red soil area could be made through well-managed vegetation restoration measures.     

栽培方式对玉米根系生长及水分利用效率的影响

为进一步明确我国西北地区全膜双垄沟播玉米栽培技术的增产机理,为干旱半干旱地区玉米高产栽培提供理论与技术支持,2008—2009年采用田间试验方法,研究了7种不同栽培方式对陇东地区旱地玉米根系时空分布、产量及水分利用效率的影响。结果表明:不同栽培方式下玉米根系长度和根干重均随生育期的推进逐渐增加,且随土层的加深呈逐渐下降趋势。其中,全膜双垄沟播等行距种植模式0~150 cm土层玉米根系长度显著大于半膜双垄沟播、常规地膜覆盖和露地种植模式(P<0.05);120~150 cm土层根长百分比表现为全膜双垄沟播撮苗种植模式最大,全膜双垄沟播等行距种植模式次之,露地种植模式最小;根干重主要集中在0~30 cm土层,且垄沟>垄中,全膜双垄沟播>常规覆膜>半膜双垄沟播,等行距种植>撮苗种植;与半膜双垄沟播、常规地膜覆盖和露地种植模式相比,全膜双垄沟播等行距种植玉米籽粒产量分别提高17.72%、22.01%和47.00%,水分利用效率分别提高6.41%、18.54%和43.57%,是陇东地区旱作玉米的最佳栽培方式。     

基于GIS和USLE的汶川地震后理县土壤侵蚀特征及分析

为了较准确地评估汶川地震后理县的土壤侵蚀状况,该研究结合GIS、RS、USLE(universal soil loss equation)定量地分析了汶川地震灾区理县的潜在土壤侵蚀和实际土壤侵蚀状况,并对地震前后土壤侵蚀量做了简要的对比分析,并且从坡度、坡向、土地利用类型、高程4个方面系统地研究了不同侵蚀强度区的面积和土壤侵蚀量的变化。研究结果表明:震后理县全年土壤侵蚀量达844.46万t/a,平均侵蚀量为1957.79t/(km2·a),属于轻度侵蚀,相比地震前轻度侵蚀、强度侵蚀、极强度侵蚀区域面积都有很大增长,有林地、坡度≥30°～50°、海拔≥2000～3000m、坡向为南坡、西坡的地带土壤侵蚀比较严重。该研究为理县震后土壤侵蚀的预防和治理工作提供了很好的依据。     

亏缺灌溉对中国西北干旱区棉花生长、水分利用特征和产量的影响

Water shortage is a key constraint to sustainable agricultural production in Xinjiang, Northwest China. To enhance the use efficiency of valuable irrigation water resources, a 2-year experiment(2010–2011) was conducted to quantify the response of cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth and yield to different degrees of deficit irrigation(DI) regimes; to determine the effects of DI on the characteristics of water use for cotton, seasonal water use, available soil water in the root zone, soil water depletion, evapotranspiration(ET)-based water use efficiency and irrigation-based water use efficiency, and to determine the best DI regime for optimal water-saving and yield output. The plots were irrigated at 100%(100ET), 85%(85ET), 70%(70ET), 55%(55ET) and 45%(45ET) of the regional ET of cotton in northern Xinjiang. The effect of DI irrigation on water use characteristics was evaluated by analyzing available soil water and soil water depletion in the root zone along with water use efficiencies of cotton. The study showed that the growth, water use characteristics and yield of cotton varied with irrigation regime. Seasonal ET and seed cotton yield were linearly correlated with irrigation amount. The second-order polynomial equation best approximated water-yield relationship of cotton in the study area.Cotton yield response factor was 0.65, suggesting limited water conditions were suitable for cotton cultivation. Economic evaluation of DI treatments confirmed that the yield loss was less than 10% under 70 ET and 85 ET, which was acceptable for greater sustainability.The results suggested that proper DI schemes were necessary for sustainable cotton production in the region. While irrigation at 85 ET was safe for high cotton yield, irrigation at 70 ET was a viable alternative under limited irrigation water availability.     

Effect of land use on the denitrification, abundance of denitrifiers, and total nitrogen gas production in the subtropical region of China

The potential denitrification (PD) rate, NO, N₂O, and N₂ emission were determined after treatment with 50 mg NO₃ ^??N kg^?1 soil using the acetylene inhibition method, and meanwhile abundance of four denitrifying genes (i.e., narG, nirK, norB, nosZ) was also investigated in subtropical soils of China. Soil samples were collected from conifer forest (C), shrub forest, and farmland. These soils were derived from Quaternary red earth and granite. The PD rate and N gas emissions significantly (p?<?0.05) differed between forest and farmland soils; abundance of denitrifying genes was also significantly affected by the land-use change. Correlation and multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that the PD rate was significantly (p?<?0.05) and positively correlated with soil pH but not with soil organic C and total N contents (p?>?0.05). The norB gene copies in farmland soils were significantly higher than in conifer and shrub forest soils (p?<?0.01). Both norB and nosZ gene copies were linearly correlated with soil pH, and the PD rate and N₂ emission rate were significantly correlated with the abundance of norB (p?<?0.05). Probably, soil pH affected denitrifiers targeted by the norB gene, thus decreasing the reduction of NO and N₂O.     

基于热量的食物供给服务时空分异研究——以广西土地农产品为例

在当前食物安全问题日益突出、粮食生产不稳定的情况下,从食物营养的角度分析和评价区域食物供给服务功能具有重要的意义。以广西壮族自治区为研究区,结合食物营养成分转化率和国家营养物摄入量的要求,将各类土地农产品折算成食物热量统一核算,分析和估算广西土地农产品食物热量供给服务功能的时空变化特征及其供需平衡。结果表明：1）2015年广西农产品食物供给热量为4.46×10¹⁴ kJ,主要来源于谷物杂粮类和蔗糖（占85.47%以上）,单位人均食物热量为9.31×10⁶ kJ·人^-1。2）2000—2015年间,广西蔗糖和果蔬类供给热量增长最多,粮食和油类则呈现波动变化趋势。广西食物热量总量上持续增长且较为富余,按照小康生活水平的标准,食物热量理论上可供养人口高于广西实际人口数;但食物热量分布不均衡,谷类食物供给热量占比逐年下降,个别县市食物热量人口承载能力低。3）在空间上,广西食物供给丰富的区域主要集中在水土光热条件较好、地势平坦的广西中部和南部地区的平原、盆地和缓丘台地等农业主产区,未来应加强这些地区的耕地保护。广西应重视和加强谷物杂粮类粮食的生产和保护,因地制宜、合理分区,优化农业主产区种植结构,提高生产管理水平与规模化生产能力,加强区域间粮食流通与贸易,以实现食物供给安全和可持续发展。     

GIS-based assessment of land suitability for optimal allocation in the Qinling Mountains, China

A GIS-based method was used to assess land suitability in the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province of China through simultaneous consideration of physical features and current land use. Through interpretation of Landsat TM images and extensive field visits the area was modeled into 40 land types in five altitudinal zones （valleys and gullies, hillsides and terraces, foothills, mid-mountain, and sub-alpine mountain）. Then, a suitability score was assigned to five physical factors （climate, hydrology, topography, soil, and vegetation）. Next, their integrated overall suitability value scores were compared with the observed land cover to determine whether it should be reallocated a new use. Results showed that the five suitability classes of agriculture, forest, grassland, farmland-woodland, and scrub-pasture had altitudinal stratification and a total of 1 151 km^2 （8.89%） of lands on the northern slopes of the Qinling Mountains had to be reallocated. To achieve this reallocation, 657 km^2 of arable land should be reduced, and forest, grassland and scrub-pasture increased by 615 km^2, 131 km^2 and 405 km^2, respectively. Implementation of these recommended land reallocations should help achieve suitable use of land resources and prevent land degradation.