Abstract:

The terrain features of the mountains affect its climatic characteristics, making the vegetation show significant vertical zonality heterogeneity. Based on the analyzing of the climatic factor and vegetation growth in three typical mountains-Taihang mountain, Hengduan mountain and Karst mountain in China, it was found that the vertical zonality of rainfall was different among the three mountains. There were two maximum height of rainfall on the windward side of the nothern Taihang mountain, while the maximum height of rainfall was on the leeward slope of Hengduan mountain. As for Karst mountain, however, the maximum height f rainfall was not obvious. The distribution of vegetation along the elevation revealed come commonalities: Cultivated land and hickets were dominated in low-altitude area. The proportions of coniferous and broad-leaved forest increased gradually with elevation n where vegetation coverage reached its peak. Alpine meadow and ice-snow zone mainly appeared in high-altitude area. Water was he main factor limited vegetation growth in low-altitude area of Taihang mountain, and the vegetation condition in high altitude area s mainly restricted by temperature. Rainfall was adequate in Hengdu mountain and Karst areas, the vegetation growth was therefore ainly affected by temperature.

Key words: terrain, climatic factor, vegetation, vertical zonality