Karst geomorphology and its agricultural implications in Guizhou, China

Abstract

In Guizhou Province, China, 73% of the land is on carbonate rock, and hence there are large areas of karst. The agro-ecological effects of karst development include soils characterised by high calcium, low alkalinity and poor fertility. Soil formation is slow, resulting in thin cover, and there is severe erosion. Large areas have steep slopes, and there is a non-uniform double karst water-bearing system consisting of solution pores, fissures and conduit spaces. The area has a low critical value range with respect to natural disasters, low environmental capacity and low agricultural output. Three agro-environmental types are identified: the dry agro-ecological environmental system of the fengcong-depression karst; the dry and wet agro-ecological environmental system of the fenglin-depression karst; and the wet agro-ecological environmental system of the fenglin-plain karst. As the karst and the associated environment changes from plateau to deep gorge, so does the appropriate agriculture for that area change. Therefore, eco-agriculture must be developed to coordinate the structure of the eco-economic system, to encourage its orderly development for high output, high quality, high effect and low consumption. The agricultural effort should be diversified to produce reasonable yields of grain and cash crops according to different environments and market needs.