Acta Geographica Sinica ›› 2002, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (6): 693-700.doi: 10.11821/xb200206009

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The Characteristics of the Waterfront Resources in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River and Their Exploitation and Utilization

WANG Chuansheng1, WANG Kaizhang2   

  1. 1. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China;
    2. Shandong Agriculture University, Tai'an 271018, China
  • Received:2002-03-10 Revised:2002-08-26 Online:2002-11-25 Published:2002-11-25
  • Supported by:

    The Project of CAS, No. KZ951-A1-202, No. KZCX1-10-07-04, Regional item Ⅳ-9903

Abstract:

By using large-scale underwater contour map, the paper investigated waterfront resources of the mainstream in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, assessed respectively the stability and depth conditions of the waterfront. And then, by selecting depth and stability conditions of waterfront, extends waterfront to water area and to land area, the natural conditions of waterfront for building ports were assessed. The basic characteristics of the waterfront resources in the middle and lower reaches of the mainstream of the Yangtze River were concluded. First, the total amount of the waterfront resources is rich, but high level waterfront combined with favorite conditions is limited. The total length of the waterfront of the mainstream in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River is 3,523.2 km. The left-bank is 1,804.6 km and the right-bank is 1,718.6 km. Second, there is distinct quality discrepancy in waterfront's spatial distribution in the Yangtze River. The right-bank is better than the left-bank in terms of both depth and stability of waterfront. Third, the depth of and stability of waterfront are the most important natural factors affecting waterfront quality. Of the two factors, C-level and D-level waterfronts occupy 63.6% and 62.7% of the whole waterfront. Fourth, ports, warehouse and industries are the most essential use modes of waterfront in the Yangtze River. Fifth, there are high waterfront use rates in some important cities, especially in case of high quality waterfronts.

Key words: waterfront resources, proposals for exploitation and utilization, the Yangtze River