Exploring the multiple disturbances of karst landscape in Guilin World Heritage Site, China

Abstract

Abstract The anthropogenic activities and natural changes might cause side effects on fragile karst landscapes. A good knowledge of the complex interrelationships between external factors and karst landscape is the basis for proper conservation strategies. However, there is little empirical evidence on local resident’s perceived impacts on karst landscape in the world heritage sites. In this study, the multiple impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activity on karst landscapes were investigated in Guilin, a world heritage site, China. We conducted a questionnaire survey of residents and received 1006 valid responses in July 2020. The results showed that over 60.8% of respondents perceived the increased change of the karst landscape in the past two decades. Human production and living activity was regarded the primary reason of local karst landscape change, followed by the natural disaster and climate change. Assessing by 40 indicators of karst landscape disturbance, the karst landscape was disturbed moderately or significantly in Guilin. The significant and direct disturbances were quarrying/mining, industrial/petroleum spills, human-induced soil erosion, industrial activities, tour activities, and dumping refuse into sinks. Climate change also accelerated the degradation of karst landscape. This study contributes a research gap regarding systematic analysis of the pubic judgements of kart landscape change and its disturbances. The strategy linking physical-environmental properties to human perceptions of the landscape can be applied other ecosystem assessment and management in other regions and countries.