Abstract:

This paper puts forward the principle and the basis for regionalization of the protected areas in China. The principles are delimiting functional natural and near natural biome units, combining of systhetic analysis with guiding factor, adopting the hierachical regional system and serving the purpose of resources conservation and management; the bases for regionalization are climatic condition and its climax vegetation and the seasonal activities and proporties of air-mass and marine current.According to the above criteria, the terrestrial, coastal, and marine biomes of China can be classified into:1. Terrestrial biome-2 biogeographical realms-4 biome regions-82 ecosystem regions;2. Coastal biome-1 natural biotic realm-3 natural-biotic regions;3. Marine biome-1 natural biotic kingdom.Finally, conservation and management of resources in the protected areas network created under the above-mentioned regionalization system are also discussed in this paper.

Key words: Ecotype, Natural biota, Regionalization