Comparative Study on Eco-geographic Regional Systems between China and USA
生态地理区域系统的比较研究

Eco-geographical region is a major ecosystem in geographic zonality. A hierarchical system, which is formed by division or combination of natural features based on geographic relativity and comparison of major ecosystem factors and geographic zonality, is called eco-geographic regional system. A comparison of the studies of this topic between Chinese and overseas scientists will enrich ideology of this field, facilitate academic exchange with understandable scientific language and introduce China's progress to the world. The authors compared both China's and overseas eco-geographic regional systems in development process, hierarchical units, delineating criteria, mapping procedures and regions. The results indicate that there are main common points in the subject, such as objectives, research contents and service objects connecting with environment, ecology and global change. Of the existing eco-regional systems, Robert G Bailey's systems of the United States, North America and the continent are comparatively close to China's system in hierarchical units, mapping procedure and regions.