Abstract: Aquatic ecological zoning serves as a core spatial tool supporting the transition of water environment management from water quality target management to aquatic ecosystem health management. This study systematically reviews typical zoning models from the United States,the European Union,and New Zealand,and examines their core methodologies and shared limitations,revealing the underlying reasons why such models are difficult to adapt to the composite characteristics of Chinese river basins. It traces the methodological evolution of aquatic ecological zoning in China from physical geographical regionalization to integrated water-land functional zoning,and examines the key challenges currently faced in theoretical localization,technical methods,data support,and management coordination. Drawing on international experiences and the characteristics of Chinese basins, the methodological core of the Chinese path is articulated,proposing the establishment of a multi-source mutually verified reference condition reconstruction method, the construction of a three-dimensional coupling indicator framework integrating natural background, anthropogenic pressure, and functional response, and the promotion of the dual-coupling mechanism between administrative and ecological boundaries. Future priorities are articulated along four directions-theoretical construction,technical and data support,management coordination,and application expansion-providing a scientific basis for basin-scale restoration and precision aquatic ecological supervision.