Factors influencing the evolution of human‐driven rocky desertification in karst areas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenming Zhang ◽  
Xianfei Huang ◽  
Yunchao Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Rocky Desertification ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Karst Areas

scholarly journals Developing Growth Models of Stand Volume for Subtropical Forests in Karst Areas: A Case Study in the Guizhou Plateau

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Yuzhi Tang ◽  
Quanqin Shao ◽  
Tiezhu Shi ◽  
Guofeng Wu
Keyword(s):  
Growth Models ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Rocky Desertification ◽  
Stand Volume ◽  
Subtropical Forests ◽  
Karst Areas ◽  
Growth Equations ◽  
Global Carbon ◽  
Guizhou Plateau

Forest stand volume is one of the key forest structural attributes in estimating and forecasting ecosystem productivity and carbon stock. However, studies on growth modeling and environmental influences on stand volume are still rare to date, especially in subtropical forests in karst areas, which are characterized by a complex species composition and are important in the global carbon budget. In this paper, we developed growth models of stand volume for all the dominant tree species (groups) (DTSG) in a subtropical karst area, the Guizhou Plateau based on an investigation of the effects of various environmental factors on stand volume. The Richards growth function, space-for-time substitution and zonal-hierarchical modeling method were applied in the model fitting, and multiple indices were used in the model evaluation. The results showed that the climatic factors of annual temperature and precipitation, as well as the site factors of stand origin, elevation, slope gradient, topsoil thickness, site quality degree, rocky desertification type and rocky desertification degree, have significant influences on stand volume, and the topsoil thickness and site quality degree have the strongest positive effect. A total of 959 growth equations of stand volume were fitted with a five-level stand classifier (DTSG–climatic zone–site quality degree–stand origin–rocky desertification type). All the growth equations were qualified, because all passed the TRE test (≤30%), and the majority of the R2 ≥ 0.50, above 70% of the RMSE were between 5.0 and 20.0, and above 80% of the P ≥ 75%. These findings provide updated knowledge about the environmental effect on the stand volume growth of subtropical forests in karst areas, and the developed stand volume growth models are convenient for forest management and planning, further contributing to the study of forest carbon storage assessments and global carbon cycling.

scholarly journals An Enhanced Approach to the Spatial and Statistical Analysis of Factors Influencing Spring Distribution on a Transboundary Karst Aquifer

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2133
Author(s):  
Veronika Iván ◽  
Stefania Stevenazzi ◽  
Licia C. Pollicino ◽  
Marco Masetti ◽  
Judit Mádl-Szőnyi
Keyword(s):  
Karst Aquifer ◽  
Statistical Technique ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Contact Distance ◽  
Five Factors ◽  
Geological Conditions ◽  
Karst Areas ◽  
Terrain Elevation

Karst aquifers are indispensable, yet vulnerable, resources; therefore, they require a comprehensive protection strategy. Since springs are the terminal points of the karst flow systems, knowledge of their distribution is a key element for the better understanding of groundwater flow, availability and vulnerability. The present study aims to introduce a data-driven analysis by the application of a spatial statistical technique (Weights of Evidence (WofE)) for the evaluation of factors influencing spring distribution in karst areas. A workflow was developed for investigating two questions: where will the springs locate, and where will the permanent springs evolve? This workflow has the potential for application to unconfined karst areas. This enhanced approach was applied to an unconfined transboundary aquifer, the Gömör–Torna Karst (HU and SK). The roles of five factors was statistically investigated: terrain elevation, distance to faults, distance of the carbonate–non-carbonate rock contact, distance to sinkholes, and precipitation distribution. The validation procedures confirmed the effectiveness of the approach. The resulting predictive maps are useful for decision-makers to delineate areas holding potential karst springs and to address water availability problems and protection measures. In addition, the WofE technique improved the comprehension of the geological conditions favourable for the formation of the springs.

Effects of Grass and Forests and the Infiltration Amount on Preferential Flow in Karst Regions of China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoqing Kan ◽  
Jinhua Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Vegetation Restoration ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Rocky Desertification ◽  
Restoration Planning ◽  
Karst Areas ◽  
Matrix Flow ◽  
Natural Grassland

<p>  Preferential flow is an important water infiltration phenomenon in karst regions because it can quickly transport surface water to deep soil and increases available water for underground root growth. The response of preferential flow to vegetation restoration requires urgent investigation due to the special soil structure of karst regions. In order to study the effect of vegetation restoration on water movement in karst regions, four kinds of ponded water infiltration experiments were carried out in Pinus Yunnanensis plantation forestland, secondary forestland, and natural grassland. A brilliant blue dyeing experiment was conducted to visualize the distribution of water infiltration in soil (a total of 150 stained images from vertical soil slices). Results showed that the average depth of matrix flow in natural grassland was approximately six times those in plantation and secondary forestlands. An increase in matrix flow will have a negative effect on the development of preferential flow. Water transported in preferential flow paths affects the distribution of nutrients and organic matter in the soil. However, preferential flow in grassland can promote the accumulation of available nutrients, and preferential flow in plantations can inhibit the loss of organic matter. Preferential flow in grasslands and forest plantations is less than that in native forests soils. The results of SEM showed that preferential flow increases the percolation of water in soils. The effect is that preferential flow can obstructs water uptake by the roots under low rainfall conditions, and decreases surface runoff before soil saturation under high rainfall conditions. In the process of nutrient element migration, preferential flow has a good contribution, which is conducive to the migration and accumulation of elements required for surface vegetation growth. The contribution of preferential flow needs to be considered in studies on vegetation restoration planning and land degradation. Reasonable allocation of plantation forests has a certain mitigation effect on soil erosion in Karst areas, and preferential flow under this special geomorphological type is worth studying. Preferential flow can transport nutrients to deeper soil for roots according to the data of this study. Therefore, plantation is feasible under karst landform conditions, but it is better to combine herbaceous plants in a plantation. The results could provide suggestions for the restoration of rocky desertification and the advantages or disadvantages of vegetation restoration engineering in karst areas.</p>

scholarly journals Calcium content and high calcium adaptation of plants in karst areas of southwestern Hunan, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2991-3002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaocong Wei ◽  
Xiangwen Deng ◽  
Wenhua Xiang ◽  
Pifeng Lei ◽  
Shuai Ouyang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Calcium Content ◽  
Vegetation Restoration ◽  
Plant Functional Groups ◽  
Ecological Problem ◽  
Rocky Desertification ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
High Calcium ◽  
Karst Areas ◽  
Ecosystem Reconstruction

Abstract. Rocky desertification is a major ecological problem of land degradation in karst areas. In these areas, the high soil calcium (Ca) content has become an important environmental factor that can affect the restoration of vegetation. Consequently, the screening of plant species that can adapt to high Ca soil environments is a critical step in vegetation restoration. In this study, three grades of rocky desertification sample areas were selected in karst areas of southwestern Hunan, China (LRD: light rocky desertification; MRD: moderate rocky desertification; and IRD: intense rocky desertification). Each grade of these sample areas had three sample plots in different slope positions, each of which had four small quadrats (one in rocky-side areas, three in non-rocky-side areas). We measured the Ca content of leaves, branches, and roots from 41 plant species, as well as soil total Ca (TCa) and exchangeable Ca (ECa) at depths of 0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm in each small quadrat. The results showed that the soil Ca2+ content in rocky-side areas was significantly higher than that in non-rocky-side areas (p<0.05). The mean soil TCa and ECa content increased gradually along with the grade of rocky desertification, in the order IRD > MRD > LRD. For all plant functional groups, the plant Ca content of aboveground parts was significantly higher than that of the belowground parts (p<0.05). The soil ECa content had significant effects on plant Ca content of the belowground parts but had no significant effects on plant Ca content of the aboveground parts. Of the 41 plant species that were sampled, 17 were found to be dominant (important value > 1). The differences in Ca2+ content between the aboveground and belowground parts of the 17 dominant species were calculated, and their correlations with soil ECa content were analyzed. The results showed that these 17 species can be divided into three categories: Ca-indifferent plants, high-Ca plants, and low-Ca plants. These findings provide a vital theoretical basis and practical guide for vegetation restoration and ecosystem reconstruction in rocky desertification areas.

scholarly journals STUDY ON KARST INFORMATION IDENTIFICATION OF QIANDONGNAN PREFECTURE BASED ON RS AND GIS TECHNOLOGY

2018 ◽  
Vol XLII-3 ◽  
pp. 2121-2125
Author(s):  
M. Yao ◽  
G. Zhou ◽  
W. Wang ◽  
Z. Wu ◽  
Y. Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Karst Region ◽  
Karst Collapse ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Visual Interpretation ◽  
Remote Sensing Images ◽  
Karst Rocky Desertification ◽  
Rocky Desertification ◽  
Karst Areas

Karst area is a pure natural resource base, at the same time, due to the special geological environment; there are droughts and floods alternating with frequent karst collapse, rocky desertification and other resource and environment problems, which seriously restrict the sustainable economic and social development in karst areas. Therefore, this paper identifies and studies the karst, and clarifies the distribution of karst. Provide basic data for the rational development of resources in the karst region and the governance of desertification. Due to the uniqueness of the karst landscape, it can’t be directly recognized and extracted by computer in remote sensing images. Therefore, this paper uses the idea of “RS&amp;thinsp;+&amp;thinsp;DEM” to solve the above problems. this article is based on Landsat-5 TM imagery in 2010 and DEM data, proposes the methods to identify karst information research what is use of slope vector diagram, vegetation distribution map, distribution map of karst rocky desertification and other auxiliary data in combination with the signs for human-computer interaction interpretation, identification and extraction of peak forest, peaks cluster and isolated peaks, and further extraction of karst depression. Experiments show that this method achieves the “RS&amp;thinsp;+&amp;thinsp;DEM” mode through the reasonable combination of remote sensing images and DEM data. It not only effectively extracts karst areas covered with vegetation, but also quickly and accurately locks down the karst area and greatly improves the efficiency and precision of visual interpretation. The accurate interpretation rate of karst information in study area in this paper is 86.73&amp;thinsp;%.

scholarly journals Characterization and interaction of driving factors in karst rocky desertification: a case study from Changshun, China

Solid Earth ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1329-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Q. Xu ◽  
H. Q. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Driving Factors ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Karst Rocky Desertification ◽  
Rocky Desertification ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Representative Area ◽  
Natural And Anthropogenic Factors

Abstract. As the most severe ecological issue in southwest China, karst rocky desertification (KRD) has both threatened and constrained regional sustainable development. Comprehensively understanding the relationship between the evolution of KRD and relevant driving data would provide more information to combat KRD in such complex karst environments. Past studies have been limited in quantifying the relative importance of driving factors influencing fine-scale KRD evolution, and have also lacked insight into their interactive impacts. To address these issues, we have used geographical information system techniques and a geographical detector model to explore the spatial consistency of driving factors and their interactions in relation to the evolution of KRD. Changshun County in China was selected as a representative area for the study. Nine relevant driving factors, including both natural and anthropogenic factors, were studied in regard to their relationships with KRD transformation between 2000 and 2010. Our results demonstrate the relative importance of driving data in influencing the improvement and deterioration of KRD. Lithology, soil type and road influence are identified as the leading factors. Interestingly, to our study at least, there is no significant difference between the impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors influencing KRD improvement, and even natural factors have a higher impact on KRD deterioration. Factors were found to enhance the influence of each other for KRD transformation. In particular, the results show a non-linearly enhanced effect between driving factors, which significantly aggravates KRD. New information found in our study helps to effectively control and restore areas afflicted by KRD.

scholarly journals The Impact of Urbanization on Ecosystem Health in Typical Karst Areas: A Case Study of Liupanshui City, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Yangling Zhao ◽  
Rui Han ◽  
Nan Cui ◽  
Jingbiao Yang ◽  
Luo Guo
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Health ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Karst Region ◽  
Rocky Desertification ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Karst Areas ◽  
Impact Of Urbanization ◽  
The Impact

The karst region of Southwest China is one of the largest continuous karst areas in the world, and the ecosystem in the karst region is extremely fragile. The city of Liupanshui, a typical karst area in southwestern China, has provided the main energy and raw materials during China’s rapid urbanization in the past few decades. With the continuous deterioration of the environment in Liupanshui and from the viewpoint of sustainable development strategies, research on ecosystem health (ESH) and the assessments of correlations between urbanization and ESH plays an important role in regional sustainable eco-environmental development. Therefore, the impact of urbanization on the ecosystem health of the study area was discussed in this study using a series of remote sensing images and socio-economic data from 1990 to 2015. Studies showed that Liupanshui is undergoing rapid urbanization, and the growth of urbanized land reached a peak between 2010 and 2015. From 1990 to 2015, the level of ESH in Liupanshui trended downward and then increased. During 2000 to 2010, due to the policy of returning farmland to grassland and forestland, the substantial increase in woodland and grassland and the management policy of mining areas have caused a turn in ESH. Although the value of ecosystem health in 2010–2015 increased, the process of urbanization is rapid, so we should pay more attention to the trend in future ecosystem health changes. The findings revealed that urbanization significantly negatively affects the ecosystem health of Liupanshui, and mining has the greatest impact. Therefore, in future urban development, strengthening the management of resource extraction and the supervision of environmental protection, continuing to return farmland to grassland and forestry, and controlling rocky desertification can improve the health of the urban ecosystem in the study area.

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