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

Shengzi Chen, Zhongfa Zhou, Lihui Yan and Bo Li
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Shengzi Chen: School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Zhongfa Zhou: School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Lihui Yan: School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Bo Li: Remote Sensing Center of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550001, China

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 10, 1-14

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.

Keywords: ecosystem health; karst rocky desertification (KRD); diagnosis; grid GIS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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