Abstract:Ecological regionalization is the basis for understanding the spatial heterogeneity of ecological types, structures, processes, functions, and ecosystem services. In this study, we investigated the schemes of ecological regionalization in China. Three types of ecological regionalization were summarized according to systematic reference review:ecological features and types, ecological geography and pattern, and ecological function and ecosystem services. These regionalization schemes have different focuses on evaluating differences and characteristics of an ecosystem, and identifying countermeasures for restoring a degraded ecosystem. We generalized the objectivities, indices, methods, and characteristics for each ecological regionalization scheme. The advantages and shortcomings were also provided by comparing different schemes. Generally, current studies lack regionalization schemes which focus on ecosystem services, particularly for the supply, demand, and flow of ecosystem services. On the other hand, the cartography of ecological regionalization is short of the generating and updating based on remote sensing and big data. Finally, we proposed four potential improvements for ecological regionalization for future studies. First, ecological regionalization should focus on a specific object, such as for scientific theories or management strategies. Second, we need to quantify human demand in the ecosystem service assessment. The tradeoff between supply and demand of ecosystem services should be the basis of ecosystem service mapping. Third, ecological regionalization would be improved by combining the ecosystem services and global change scenarios. The mapping of ecosystem services based on climatic backgrounds and scenarios may be helpful for guiding the adaptation to climate change. Four, modern technologies are important tools in the improvement of ecological regionalization. We need to develop a standard procedure for data collection, processing, storage, and mapping during ecological regionalization. Lastly, current regionalization schemes are useful to ecosystem management even if they are not designated as ecoregions. We need to integrate related regionalization schemes within the framework of ecosystem management and protection.