Changes in Ecological–Production–Social Functions in Karst Areas: Insight from Guizhou Province, South China Karst

Rong Zhao, Kangning Xiong (), Anjun Lan (), Qiwei Chen, Zhaojun Liu, Fangli Feng and Nana Yu
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Rong Zhao: School of Karst Science and Geography, Guizhou Engineering Laboratory for Karst Desertification Control and Eco-Industry, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Kangning Xiong: School of Karst Science and Geography, Guizhou Engineering Laboratory for Karst Desertification Control and Eco-Industry, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Anjun Lan: School of Karst Science and Geography, Guizhou Engineering Laboratory for Karst Desertification Control and Eco-Industry, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Qiwei Chen: School of Geography and Resources, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang 550018, China
Zhaojun Liu: School of Karst Science and Geography, Guizhou Engineering Laboratory for Karst Desertification Control and Eco-Industry, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Fangli Feng: School of Karst Science and Geography, Guizhou Engineering Laboratory for Karst Desertification Control and Eco-Industry, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Nana Yu: School of Karst Science and Geography, Guizhou Engineering Laboratory for Karst Desertification Control and Eco-Industry, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-19

Abstract: The ecosystems and human social systems in karst areas are undergoing rapid development. In this context, effectively identifying changes in the various functions of karst areas is crucial for formulating accurate sustainable development policies. However, few studies have discussed the ecological, production, and social functions of karst areas within an integrated framework. Therefore, this paper utilizes comprehensive evaluation methods, standard deviation classification, and coordination models to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in these functions of karst areas from 2000 to 2020. The results indicate that over the 20-year period, the ecological function, production function, and social function in karst areas have shown an annual growth trend with noticeable spatiotemporal differentiation. The dominant functions of the area have undergone significant changes, with the ecological function being dominant in 2000, the production function becoming dominant in 2010, and the social function taking the lead in 2020. Over the past 20 years, the lagged development type has remained the predominant combined function type. The coordination levels among the three functions have significantly improved, with the coordination between the ecological function and the production function transitioning from non-coordination to coordination in 2010. Furthermore, the coordination between the ecological function and the social function, and between the production function and the social function, achieved coordination status in 2020. This study enhances the understanding of the multifunctional evolution in karst areas and provides theoretical and practical guidance for ecological restoration, industrial development, and social reconstruction in karst areas.

Keywords: ecological–production–social functions; spatial-temporal change; karst area; Guizhou (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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