Abstract. This paper attempts to explain the theoretical reasons why the local farmers took irrational activities such as steep slope land cultivations in order to reveal the mechanism of Karst Rocky Desertification (KRD) through those typical case studies. Firstly, this paper assumes that the low land capacity is the genesis cause of KRD in peak cluster-depression areas. Furthermore, the ecological quality of the peak cluster-depression zone is influenced by the relationship between the area of depressions and the population of residential areas. The results show that, six typical peak cluster-depression areas in Guizhou Province were selected to compare the distribution circumstances of croplands, the characteristics of settlements and the formation of KRD. Also, the results show that there is a negative correlation between the percentage of the cultivated land and the percentage of KRD (including light KRD, moderate KRD and severe KRD at peak cluster-depressions. The relationship could be concluded as three situations of the process of KRD, which are low, middle and upper carrying capacity of land. The severe KRD is only distributed in peak-cluster depression areas with less flatland, low land capacity and high population. The harmonization between population pressure and bearing capacity of land will influence the ecological qualities in the peak cluster depressions. Therefore, the hypothesis suggested by this paper is correct, and this result will contribute to understanding the natural mechanism of KRD and guide the ecological restoration of KRD land.
Drivers of soil erosion and subsurface loss by soil leakage during karst rocky desertification in SW China