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Quantitative Evaluation of Ecosystem Health in a Karst Area of South China

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  • Shengzi Chen

    (School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
    The State Key Laboratory Incubation Base for Karst Mountain Ecology Environment of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550001, China
    School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Zhongfa Zhou

    (School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
    The State Key Laboratory Incubation Base for Karst Mountain Ecology Environment of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550001, China)

  • Lihui Yan

    (School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
    State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang 550001, China)

  • Bo Li

    (Remote Sensing Center of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550001, China)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to propose a GIS-based mechanism for diagnosing karst rocky desertification (KRD) ecosystem health. Using the Huajiang Demonstration Area in Guizhou Province as a case study, this research offers a multi-factor indicator system for diagnosing KRD ecosystem health. A set of geologic, environmental, and socio-economic health indicators were developed based on remote sensing images from field-investigation, hydrological, and meteorological monitoring data. With the use of grid GIS technology, this study gives an indicator for diagnosing the spatial expression of desertification at a 5 m × 5 m grid scale. Using spatial overlaying technology based on grid data, the temporal and spatial dynamics of ecosystem health in the Huajiang Demonstration Area were tracked over a 10 year time span. The results of the analysis indicate that ecosystem health in the Huajiang Demonstration Area varies regionally, and has overall improved over time. The proportion of healthy area increased from 3.7% in 2000 to 8.2% in 2010. However, unhealthy and middle-health areas still accounted for 78.7% of the total area by 2010. The most obvious improvement of ecosystem health was in an area where comprehensive control measures for curbing KRD were implemented. These results suggest that comprehensive control of KRD can effectively mitigate ecosystem deterioration and improve ecosystem health in karst regions of South China.

Suggested Citation

  • Shengzi Chen & Zhongfa Zhou & Lihui Yan & Bo Li, 2016. "Quantitative Evaluation of Ecosystem Health in a Karst Area of South China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:10:p:975-:d:80074
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthew C. Fisher & Daniel. A. Henk & Cheryl J. Briggs & John S. Brownstein & Lawrence C. Madoff & Sarah L. McCraw & Sarah J. Gurr, 2012. "Emerging fungal threats to animal, plant and ecosystem health," Nature, Nature, vol. 484(7393), pages 186-194, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yangling Zhao & Rui Han & Nan Cui & Jingbiao Yang & Luo Guo, 2020. "The Impact of Urbanization on Ecosystem Health in Typical Karst Areas: A Case Study of Liupanshui City, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Dan Ye & Liu Yang & Min Zhou, 2023. "Spatiotemporal Variation in Ecosystem Health and Its Driving Factors in Guizhou Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-23, July.
    3. Jiachun Zhang & Guiting Mu & Zhenming Zhang & Xianfei Huang & Hui Fang, 2021. "Speciation Variation and Bio-Activation of Soil Heavy Metals (Cd and Cr) in Rice-Rape Rotation Lands in Karst Regions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Zhenming Zhang & Yunchao Zhou & Shijie Wang & Xianfei Huang, 2018. "Spatial Distribution of Stony Desertification and Key Influencing Factors on Different Sampling Scales in Small Karst Watersheds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, April.
    5. Zhenming Zhang & Xianfei Huang & Yunchao Zhou & Jiachun Zhang & Xubo Zhang, 2019. "Discrepancies in Karst Soil Organic Carbon in Southwest China for Different Land Use Patterns: A Case Study of Guizhou Province," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-14, October.

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