Tropical and Subtropical Pinnacle Karst and Shilin Landscape in China

Abstract

Pinnacle karst and shilin (stone forest) landscapes are widely developed in south China. This paper describes three main pinnacle and shilin karst landscapes. Xianan Pinnacle karst is located on Hainan Island in the tropical climatic zone. The pinnacles form shapes resembling needles, knives, etc., and the landform is covered by tropical rainforest. Linyun shilin karst developed in Upper Carboniferous grey-black thick limestone and Lower Permian dark black limestone with siliceous chert is located in an area of 1.23 km², 13 km to the south of Yongan city, Fujian Province. The climate is monsoon sub-tropical. The height of stone columns with solution karren varies in the range of 2 m to 34 m, with stone teeth less than 5 m high occupying about 49.7% of the total, and the rest being the higher stone columns. Xianan pinnacle karst and Linyun shilin have developed on limestone hills covered by forest, and exhibit solution shafts and fissures inset into limestone blocks. The Lunan shilin landscape has mainly developed in the tropical and subtropical climates since the Lower Permian limestone was deposited. The karst developed under the soil, then soil erosion exposed the stone teeth and columns, and rainwater reshaped the upper parts. At present, the Lunan shilin is found on limestone hills, hill slopes and in depressions at 1,700 m to 1,900 m a.s.l.