Occurrence, spatial-temporal dynamics and regulation strategies of karst rocky desertification in southwest China

The karst landscape in China are mainly located in the southwest of China around Guizhou province and cover an area of 550 000 km[sup 2]. Southwest China is most famous in the world for the continuous distribution of karst landscape, for holding the largest area of bare carbonate rocks and for experiencing the strongest karst development in the world. The karst area in southwest China is characterized by unique geological background, high landscape heterogeneity, low ecological capacity. In this paper, we systematica11y synthesized the information regarding rock desertification in the karst area in southwest China obtained largely from but not limited to Huanjiang Observation and Research Station of Karst Ecosystem, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The occurrence of karst rocky desertification was explained from natural factors (e.g., geological factors) and human activities, especially agricultural activities. We proposed several regulation strategies according to the degree of rocky desertification to boost the harmonious and sustainable development of ecology, economy and society in the karst areas of southwest China.