How types of carbonate rock assemblages constrain the distribution of karst rocky desertified land in Guizhou Province, PR China: phenomena and mechanisms

TLDR

In southwestern China, karst rocky desertification—characterized by severe soil erosion, exposed basement rocks, reduced soil productivity, and a desert‑like landscape—arises from irrational land use on fragile, thin karst soils, where soil particles mainly derive from residues after carbonate rock dissolution, and the soil layer thickness depends on argillaceous content, while differences between limestone and dolomite affect dissolution rates, soil accumulation, surface relief, and land‑use potential. This paper examines the spatial distribution of karst rocky desertified land in Guizhou Province and relates it to the different assemblages of basement carbonate rocks. The study maps carbonate rock assemblages at a 1:500,000 scale digital distribution map to analyze their spatial patterns. Analysis shows that karst rocky desert.

Abstract

Abstract In southwestern China karst rocky desertification (a process of land degradation involving serious soil erosion, extensive exposure of basement rocks, drastic decrease of soil productivity and the appearance of a desert‐like landscape) results from irrational land use on the fragile, thin karst soil. Soil particles in the Guizhou karst plateau were accumulated predominantly from residues left behind after the dissolution of carbonate rocks, and the thickness of the soil layer is related to the amount of argillaceous substances in the lost carbonate rock. This paper examines the spatial distribution of karst rocky desertified (KRD) land in Guizhou Province, and relates it to the different assemblages of basement carbonate rocks. Types of carbonate rock assemblages are discussed using a 1 : 500000 scale digital‐distribution map. Their distribution and sensitivity to erosion are analysed, demonstrating that the occurrence of KRD land is positively correlated to homogeneous carbonate rocks. Differences in physical and chemical properties of limestone and dolomite rocks lead to differences in dissolution, accumulation rate of soil particles and relief on the surface, and these factors influence land‐use potential. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.