Abstract: To investigate the characteristics and formation mechanisms of vertical zonation in mountain ecosystems, this study focuses on Shizi Mountain in Wuding County, Yunnan Province to reveal the structure of the mountain vertical zonation and its primary underlying factors through field surveys and systematic analysis. The results indicate that： 1） Exhibiting significant vertical distribution characteristics on Shizi Mountain, the mountain vegetation is dominated by semi-humid evergreen broad-leaved forest and warm-temperate coniferous forest; the plant communities show a sequential transition along the altitudinal gradient, manifesting a transition sequence, from low to high elevation, from coniferous forest to evergreen broad-leaved forest, then to coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, and ultimately to coniferous forest; and 2） The soil demonstrates distinct vertical differentiation, transitioning from red soil to yellow-brown earth with increasing elevation, which broadly corresponds to the mountain climate zones. The distribution range of red soil is approximately 560 m, while the yellow-brown earth zone has a width of about 120 m. This study demonstrates that the vertical zonation pattern on Shizi Mountain results from the combined effects of climate, topography, and human activities： vertical climate zones are the dominant factor determining the basic types and macro-distribution of vegetation and soil; topography （slope aspect and gradient） regulates the internal structure and local variations of the zonation by redistributing hydrothermal conditions; and human activities, through both disturbance （destruction） and conservation （protection）, profoundly influence the current state and future evolution trends of the vertical zonation from both positive and negative aspects. This research provides regional empirical evidence for a deeper understanding of the formation mechanisms of subtropical mountain vertical zonation and its response to global change.

Key words: mountain vegetation, mountain soil, vertical zonation, spatial heterogeneity, Shizi Mountain in Wuding County