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Millennial Evolution of a Karst Socio-Ecological System: A Case Study of Guizhou Province, Southwest China

Author

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  • Yetong Li

    (Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Qihua Ke

    (Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Zhuodong Zhang

    (Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

The dynamic changes in socio-ecological system (SES) have exerted increasing pressures on the natural environment, leading to observable changes in terrestrial surface structure. Therefore, understanding the historical evolution mechanism of social ecosystems is crucial for the future sustainable management of karst regions. However, detailed quantitative analyses of karst socio-ecological system at a long-term scale are lacking. Here, we applied a comprehensive research framework for the SES of karst region to visually analyze the evolution of karst SES over the past 1000 years in Guizhou Province, defining five evolution stages of the karst SES. Concurrently, we characterized the interactive effects of drivers on karst socio-ecological system during every evolutionary stage, and then assess major influences between these stages. Despite rocky desertification as the main effect of karst SES driven by many indicators, the quantitative analysis indicated that human-dominated land-use change explained the expansion of rocky desertification. Although effective implementation of relevant policies partly compensated for increased environmental pressures, continued structure and function shifts in local ecosystem can challenge progress towards sustainability in karst region. Our findings provide scientific references for managers and policymakers to assist them to identify how environmental issues emerged in karst areas and how they should be addressed.

Suggested Citation

  • Yetong Li & Qihua Ke & Zhuodong Zhang, 2022. "Millennial Evolution of a Karst Socio-Ecological System: A Case Study of Guizhou Province, Southwest China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:15151-:d:975207
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    Cited by:

    1. Tong Lin & Dafang Wu & Muzhuang Yang & Peifang Ma & Yanyan Liu & Feng Liu & Ziying Gan, 2022. "Evolution and Simulation of Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Storage and Sustainability Assessment in Karst Areas: A Case Study of Guizhou Province," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-19, December.

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