China Vitae

Biography

Zheng Du, male, Han nationality, is a native of Dapu, Guangdong Province, and was born in Jiexi, Guangdong Province. He graduated from Zhongshan University in 1958.

Zheng Du was the chief scientist of a national key research project entitled the "Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Formation Evolvement and Environmental Resources Effect" and was the guide of the main subjects of physical geography in China.

Zheng was at the start of the study of the interrelation of climate, vegetal cover and soil belt and set up the distribution mapping for the main types of vertical belts in the Mt. Everest area. He divided the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau vertical natural belt into both belt systems of monsoon and continent, formed the distribution mode of structural types groups, and discovered the differentiated law.

Zheng also established the comprehensive classification system of the dry river valley in the Hengduan Mountains area and verified and confirmed the central area of cold and drought in the plateau. He illuminated the differentiated 3D terrain law in the natural zone of high altitude areas and setup the natural division principle and method suitable for mountainous region and highland. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau natural area systematic plan proposed by Zheng is the most complete and system and widely used.

Zheng is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.