Ecological Process and Vegetation Restoration in Karst Region of southwest China

Abstract

Karst topography and carbonate rock related landscapes are considered very important yet fragile geomorphic features. In particular, ecosystems in karst regions are extremely sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances. For karst topographic features of southwest China this is especially true given the presence of highly developed tower karst, long history of human exploitation, and current high human population density. It is commonly agreed that the frequent human activities in this karst region have altered the water, and carbon budgets. Among the various consequences of human disturbance, rock desertification, the processes where areas formerly covered with vegetation and soil are converted to rocky / barren lands, is a very common process. The speed of rock desertification reach a high point during the 1980s resulting in the deterioration of the karst ecosystem and, subsequently, worsening local poverty levels. In this paper,the key issues of land use and ecological processes are discussed.Soil moisture plays an important role in plant growth and vegetation rehabilitation,and has a high temp-spatial heterogeneity. The characteristics of spatial distribution of soil moisture are largely dependent on land use types,topographic position,soil texture and others .different land use types may result in diferent patterns on nutrient loss and runof.dunes.The responses of soil improvement to vegetation restoration were also analysed.The innovative approach for improvement in both the restoration of degraded ecosystem s and regional sustainable development were discussed.