Abstract: Based on the data of spatial distribution, vegetation type, and elevation of continental national nature reserves (NNRs) in northeast China, we analyzed the relationships of the distributions of NNRs and vegetation with elevation using means of overlay analysis method. The aim of this study was to provide guidance of natural vegetation conservation in northeast China from both horizontal and vertical dimensions. The results showed that: (1) The main types of the NNRs in northeast China were forests, wetlands, and habitats for conserving wild animals. With the increases of altitude, the area and quantity of nature reserves decreased. The transient phenomenon of NNRs from wetland to forest occurred in the medium altitude range (600-1000 m). (2) Natural vegetations in high altitude range (above 1000 m) were better protected compared with those in medium and low altitude (below 1000 m) ranges where protection gaps still existed. (3) The protected areas at level one priority concentrated in the central and northeastern forest areas of Changbai Mountains, Liaohe River Estuary, and the northeastern part of Tongliao and the Hulunbeier Plateau. The protected areas at level two priority mainly distributed in mountainous regions of northeast China (Greater Khingan Mountains, Lesser Khingan Mountains and Changbai Mountains), especially the junction of the Greater Khingan Mountains and Lesser Khingan Mountains, as well as the transitional areas between grassland and forest in southern Greater Khingan Mountains and Liaodong hilly area. (4) As the main type of human disturbance, cultivated crops did not receive sufficient attention, which seriously threatened inland wetland and wildlife type NNRs in Northeast China Plain. Therefore, we suggested establishing natural protected areas system based on national parks in level one priority protected areas in the central forest areas of Changbai Mountains, enlarging current NNRs and establishing new nature reserves. In the remaining level one priority protected areas in the low altitude range where natural vegetation was seriously damaged by cultivated crops, management supervision should be strengthened. Secondary natural vegetation restored after disturbance could be protected to achieve the goal of regional biodiversity conservation.

Key words: reseeding, non-grazing, free-grazing, typical steppe, species composition, functional group characteristics.