Abstract:
Based on remote sensing image for 2000, spatial distribution pattern and heterogeneity of alpine wetlands on the Zoige Plateau were analyzed using the Apack software package. Results indicate that wetland ratio on the Zoige Plateau is 9.7% and marsh-wetland landscape is the dominant wetland type, accounting for 96.32% of the total wetland landscape area. Low diversity and evenness, and landscape fragmentation, as well as complex geometrical shape of wetlands show low similarity in the area. Zoige County has the largest wetland area and wetland ratio among the five counties, while Aba and Luqu Counties have smaller wetland area. More patches exist in Hongyuan County, while Luqu County has less patches; and the largest and smallest average patch areas are in Zoige and Aba Counties respectively. There are, big differences between the proportions of wetland landscape type, but marsh-wetland landscape consists of major wetland landscapes in the five counties, with a high aggregation index, low landscape fragmentation and complex geometrical shape. On the regional level, natural wetlands dominate the pattern of alpine wetlands on the Zoige Plateau, which exists in a high spatial heterogeneity.