Evolution and Effects of the Social-ecological System in Karst Mountainous Regions:A Case Study of Guangxi,China

典型喀斯特山区社会-生态系统演变及效应研究——以广西为例

Karst regions are the typical areas of interaction between human society and natural ecosystems.Understanding the historical mechanisms of the evolution of social-ecological systems(SES)is crucial for the future sustainable management of karst regions.This study selected Guangxi,a typical karst mountainous region in Southwest China,as the study area,and used population,cropland area,and forest coverage as the SES elements.Based on the framework of SES research in the karst region,it adopted segmented linear regression to identify the stages of the interactions among these elements,to reveal the evolutionary stages of social development from the long-term perspective.In addition,the driving factor indicators were constructed from the aspects of natural environment,social development,government policy,and climate change,and then the feedback changes brought about by the evolution were investigated.The results show that the evolution of SES in Guangxi from 1363-2020 can be divided into seven stages.In the first,second,and early period of the third stages,the government of Guangxi mainly focused on agricultural activities,although the only way to meet the growing demand for food was by expanding the area of cropland,and the timber trade’s pursuit of economic development,resulting in an increase in rocky desertification.In the fourth stage,the ecological environment improved under the implementation of measures such as the control of rocky desertification and the compensation of forest ecological benefits.After the fifth stage,the effect of rocky desertification control has been remarkable.Although the implementation of relevant policies has alleviated the environmental problems to some extent,the continual changes in the structure and function of SES can challenge further progress towards sustainability in karst regions.This study aims to provide a reference for the long-term national spatial planning and the development of environmental policies in karst regions.

喀斯特地区是人类社会与自然生态系统相互作用的典型区域。理解喀斯特地区历史时期的社会-生态系统演化机制对其可持续管理至关重要。本文选取中国西南地区典型喀斯特山区广西为研究区,人口、耕地面积、森林覆盖率为社会-生态系统分析要素,基于喀斯特地区社会-生态系统研究框架,利用分段线性回归法确定要素间相互作用的阶段,从而揭示长时间视角下社会发展的演变阶段。从自然环境、社会发展、政策、气候变化等方面构建驱动因素指标,并考察系统演变引起的反馈效应。结果表明:广西1363-2020年社会-生态系统演变可分为七个阶段,在第一、第二和第三阶段的早期,广西以农业活动为主,扩张耕地以解决粮食需求,实行木材交易以追求经济发展,造成石漠化的加剧;第四阶段,在石漠化治理、森林生态效益补偿等措施的实施下,生态环境改善;第五阶段后,石漠化治理效果显著。相关环境政策的实施一定程度上缓解了生态问题,但社会-生态系统的结构与功能的持续变化对其地区的可持续发展产生影响。研究旨在为喀斯特地区国土空间的长期规划和环境政策的制定提供借鉴。