Co-evolution of the Cenozoic tectonics, geomorphology, environment and ecosystem in the Qinling Mountains and adjacent areas, Central China

Abstract

The Qinling Mountains stretching from east to west in Central China are an important geological and geographical boundary in the China Continent and even the East Asia Continent. The mountains were originally formed by the collision between the North and South China Blocks during the Paleozoic and Triassic, and overprinted by the Late Mesozoic intracontinental orogeny. Since the Cenozoic, the Qinling Mountains have experienced rapid uplift, forming a great and high mountain range, which has become the geographic boundary between the Northern China and Southern China. It has an important impact on the north-south climate differentiation in the China Continent, and plays a decisive role in the north-south differentiation of ecological environment, economy, and culture. It has also profoundly affected the natural environment and biodiversity pattern in China and even East Asia. This contribution provides an overview of the relationship between the Cenozoic tectonic uplift, geomorphic evolution and biodiversity in the Qinling Mountains, as well as its boundary effect on climatic and environmental changes. It describes the topographic changes under the control of tectonics, as well as the responses of climate, environment and biological evolution to the topographic changes. Due to the high mountain topography, the Qinling Mountains act as a climate barrier between the Northern and Southern China Continents. It shows the vertical climate zoning, and separates a temperate monsoon climate to the north and a subtropical monsoon climate to the south. The unique geographical location and diverse climate types make the Qinling Mountains a unique area of biodiversity in the world. All the available data indicate the co-evolution between the Cenozoic tectonics, geomorphology, environment and ecosystem in the Qinling Mountains and adjacent areas.