Abstract:Earthquake is among major natural disasters faced by human being and may lead to extensive ecological degradation. Studying its impacts on natural ecosystems constitutes a significant challenge and published results on this respect are quite limited. By reviewing the literatures and using the 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake as an example, we attempt to analyze the main characteristic effects of the earthquake on mountain areas and review the impacts of earthquake on mountain ecosystems, biodiversity, landscape and ecological security. Earthquakes may directly destroy vegetation and wildlife habitats and alter functions and hydrological processes of ecological systems. On the other hand, earthquakes may also result in indirect impacts on environment, i.e., environmental pollution, behavioral and physiological changes of animals and changes in biogeochemistry cycle. Although damages caused by earthquakes vary among different ecosystems, earthquakes affect mountain ecosystems mainly by reshaping landforms and land physiognomy on which all life rely. The numerous secondary geo-hazards, such as rock avalanches, rock flows, landslides and debris flows, may lead to serious damage to and/or loss of vegetation. However, due to the lack of detailed researches, the changes in the functions and process of the ecosystems following earthquakes are still not clearly understood. Thus, it is necessary to collect the in-situ data, monitor the long-term environmental changes, and probe into theories and approaches about ecological restoration in quake-hit areas. Several potential fields for future researches about the ecological effects of 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake are suggested.