Rocky desertification and its preventive strategies in Karst regions of China

Karst landform is mostly distributed in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi provinces. The area of Karst landform is about 300 000 km², and occupies more than 3% of the total land area of China, in which half of the Karst regions have been desertificated. The rocky desertification area is outspreading by the rate of 2 500 km² per year. Rocky desertification is seriously threatening the survival, productive activities and livelihood of local people. It is a serious problem in south China. This paper reviews the forming causes of rocky desertification and its hazard, and proposes some constructive preventive strategies and advices.