Abstract: Increasing species loss due to human-induced habitat destruction is a formidable task in conserving global biodiversity. In order to reverse the negative situation in which traditional theories and practices can hardly stop the trend of species extinction, a holistic strategy for biodiversity conservation at landscape and regional levels is raised and underpinned by GAP analysis approach. GAP analysis is to integrate land cover, species distribution and land stewardship in a GIS context to identify the "gaps" that need special attentions in the future planning of regional biodiversity conservation and land use. This paper reviewed the GAP Analysis Program in US focusing on its basic technical processes, related theories and practical progress made recently as well as the key constraints in application. Also, necessity in theory and application to conduct similar research and applications in China is discussed based on the key issues existing in the biodiversity conservation in China.

Key words: GAP analysis, biodiversity conservation, land use/land cover, remote sensing, human impact

摘要： 人为活动对区域生境干扰导致濒危物种数量不断增加，是目前全世界范围内生物多样性保护工作面临的严峻挑战。为扭转传统保护思路难以适应现代生物多样性保护需求这一被动现状，人们开始采用一种基于景观和区域尺度的整体保护策略，GAP分析就是实现这种保护策略的主要支撑技术。该技术的核心是通过区域性的土地覆盖、物种分布和土地权属叠图综合分析，鉴别具有重要保护价值的“保护空白”，进而为合理的区域性生物多样性保护设计和土地利用规划，提供科学的决策依据。以美国的GAP分析计划为例，详细介绍GAP分析的基本技术过程，相关理论和实践研究进展及相关技术应用的主要限制因素，并针对我国生物多样性保护工作的现状和存在的关键问题，阐述了我国开展类似理论和应用研究的必要性、重点研究内容及其理论和实践意义。

关键词: GAP分析, 生物多样性保护, 土地利用/土地覆盖, 遥感, 人为影响