FRONTIER ISSUE OF MODERN ECOLOGY IN THE STUDY OF ECOTONE BETWEEN AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
农牧交错带研究中的现代生态学前沿问题

This paper examines the definition,origin,and historical evolution of the transitional area between farming and pasturing in northern China as well as unique features of the eco landscapes and their essential role to agricultrue,and gives a preliminary summary of the experience and lessons in the management and research of the ecotone in the past decades.The major issue identified is the inadequate research on supporting oriented basic study and lacking of integration and synthesization of cross disciplines.In light with trends and frontier studies of modern ecology in international communities,four fields concerning intensification of basic studies of the transitional area between farming and pasturing are raised and a tentative suggestion on new research methodology is put forward.