What is the function of Qilian Mountain as an ecological barrier?

The function of Qilian Mountain as an ecological barrier is mainly reflected in the fact that Qilian Mountain blocks and lifts the southeast monsoon, forms topographic precipitation and increases fresh water resources for Hexi Corridor. The Qilian Mountain Ecological Reserve has a high vegetation coverage rate, which plays a role in regulating water sources, maintaining soil and water, and regulating climate.

Melting water from alpine snow and ice and precipitation from Qilian Mountains increased the water resources in Hexi Corridor, and prevented the invasion of northwest desert into Hexi Corridor.

Climatic characteristics of Qilian Mountain;

Qilian Mountain is located in the mid-latitude north temperate zone, living inland and far from the ocean. It is also at the intersection of Qinghai-Tibet, Mongolia-Xinjiang and Loess Plateau. Due to the special influence of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau on the atmospheric circulation, the humid air flow from the southeast monsoon can extend to the north and west in summer and spread to this area. In winter, affected by the dry and cold air flow in Inner Mongolia and the cold air in the northwest, the temperature in this area is greatly reduced in winter, and the temperature changes greatly throughout the year.

The superposition of many factors constitutes the main climate characteristics of Qilian Mountain forest region, that is, continental cold and semi-humid mountain climate. Winter is long, cold and dry, and summer is short, cool and humid. The annual precipitation is mainly concentrated from May to September. The temperature in this area is decreasing and the rainfall is increasing. The mountainous area is cold and humid, and the shallow mountainous area is hot and dry.

With the increase of altitude in mountainous areas, various climatic factors change regularly from bottom to top, showing obvious vertical climatic zones in mountainous areas. From bottom to top: shallow mountain desert grassland, shallow mountain arid grassland, Zhongshan forest grassland, subalpine shrub meadow, alpine snow and ice vegetation climate zone.