Abstract: The Tibetan Plateau is an important ecological security shelter zone for China. The unique and sensitive ecosystems of the plateau are main supports for its ecological shelter function and the basis for regional economic and social sustainable development. As for the large plateau, each district has its own ecological function and regional problems due to the regional differentiation in natural conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to take proper measures for ecological construction and protection according to local conditions. This paper identified four key areas for ecological construction: western Ngari, central and southern
Nagqu, source region of three rivers (the Yangtze River, the Yellow River and Lancang River) and the region of three parallel rivers (Nujiang River, Lancang River and Jinsha River) according to the integrated analysis of main functions, fragile degree, changing trend and risk characteristics of ecosystems. Some suggestions and measures were put forward to stabilize and to promote ecological function, based on regional ecological system characteristics, land cover changes and their driving factors. These suggestions could be very useful to protect and restore ecological security shelter function.

Key words: Tibetan Plateau, ecological security shelter zone, ecological construction, key area, land cover change