Karst ecosystem observation and assessment at local and regional scales

The highly sensitive and vulnerable karst ecosystem in Southwest China is one of the largest exposed carbonate rock areas (more than 0.54 million km²) in the world, hosting 220 million people. Rocky desertification is the most serious eco-environmental problems in China karst. For the ecological restoration and sustainable development of karst ecosystem, Huanjiang Observation and Research Station was established at 2 000 for the observation of ecosystem structures, processes and functions in China karst. With the long-term continuous observation, remote sensing and ecosystem models, we identified the changes of ecosystem spatial pattern, progresses and functions under the coupled impacts of climatic and human disturbances. The results showed that ecological restoration projects had positive effects on China karst restoration, especially at local and regional scales. The ecosystem structure and functions had been improved with the implementation of ecological restoration projects, despite a decline in rainfall and soil moisture in China karst. The vegetation greenness and carbon stock increased with conservation projects. China karst was one of the globally largest increases in vegetation cover and biomass. However, the water and soil conservation and biodiversity functions maybe increase slowly. It is needed for the comprehensive assessment for understanding of conservation projects’ functional and biodiversity effects. The other intervention that have the potential to enhance or generate wider positive effects of ecological restoration projects.