Karst landscapes of China: patterns, ecosystem processes and services

Abstract

Context The karst region of southwestern China, one of the largest continuous karsts in the world, is known for its unique landscapes and rich biodiversity. This region has suffered severe environmental degradation (e.g., vegetation cover loss, soil erosion and biodiversity loss). In recent decades, Chinese governments at different levels have initiated several ecological programs (e.g., Green for Grain, Mountain Closure) to restore the degraded environment and to alleviate poverty. Objectives This study summarizes landscape studies of karst landscapes patterns, their dynamics and interactions among landscape pattern, hydrological processes and ecosystem services (ES). Methods We conducted a systematic literature review of science and land use policy to identify knowledge gaps and recommend future research and policy directions. Results Karst landscapes have experienced rapid turnover in recent decades due largely to the overlap of intense human activity on the fragile karst ecosystems. Many studies have comprehensively examined hydrology, soil processes and ecosystem services (ES) and their relationships with landscape pattern. Most of these studies have found that karst ecosystems recover with improved ES. However, the importance of epikarst in hydrological and soil processes, intense anthropogenic disturbance and landscape heterogeneity in landscape models remains elusive. Conclusions Future research should focus on indepth examination and modelling of karst specific hydrological and soil processes, investigating relationships between climatic change, landscape change, ecological processes, and region-specific ES assessments. Results from such research should provide the necessary scientific support for a comprehensive, national karst rocky desertification treatment project (Stage II) and poverty alleviation initiatives.

Effect of Different Grain for Green Approaches on Soil Bacterial Community in a Karst Region

“…The karst region of southwestern China, one of the largest continuous karsts in the world, is known for its unique landscapes and rich biodiversity (Wang et al, 2019). The increasing human population has driven land overuse and deforestation, and it has intensified poverty (Peng et al, 2008).…”

Understanding the relationships between ecosystem services and associated social-ecological drivers in a karst region: A case study of Guizhou Province, China

“…Eight types of ecosystem services were considered in this study, including provisioning services, regulating services as well as cultural services which were relevant to local social-ecological characteristics and associated with addressing local needs (Haines-Young and Potschin, 2018). The two provisioning services (Grain Production and Water Yield) and four regulating services (Soil Retention, Soil Organic Carbon, Net Primary Productivity, and Habitat Quality) were selected mainly based on the following considerations (Wang et al, 2019): (a) the barren soil and soil erosion mainly because of karst mountainous environment and agricultural activities on the slopes, revealing the importance of quantifying soil retention; (b) spatiotemporal heterogeneity of water resource due to monsoon climate and karst intensive underground water system, indicating the importance of estimating water yield; (c) insufficient food supply because of limited farmland for cultivation, unfertilized soils, and high population density, indicating the necessary assessment of food production; and (d) high natural vegetation coverage revealing the importance of biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration, that is, calculating habitat quality, net primary productivity, and soil organic carbon. Additionally, the two cultural services of tourism and outdoor recreation were considered due to the recreational needs of residents and visitors.…”

Effects of Changing Scales on Landscape Patterns and Spatial Modeling Under Urbanization

“…During this process, the original large patches become fragmented, and the connected corridors were destroyed (Yang et al, 2019). These landscapes will cause the biological diversity of ecosystems to descend and become fragile and unstable, which is considered unsuitable for sustainable development (Wang et al, 2019). Therefore, to balance the fused relationship between construction land and other landscapes and achieve sustainable development, landscape fragmentation issues should be considered under the process of urbanization.…”