The Karst Geomorphologic Regionalization in China

Abstract

Many geomorphologic types of karst are developed in China throughout an area of 910,000 km(2). Depending on the large differences in terrain types and climate throughout the country, and relying on genetic and morphological approaches, as well as assessing the maximum similarities and the minimum differences of karst landforms within each landform region, the karst features are classified into eight geomorphologic regions, i.e., humid tropical karst landform region (I), humid tropical-subtropical karst landform region (II), arid-humid subtropical-semihumid temperate karst landform region (III), humid-semihumid temperate karst landform region (IV), arid-semiarid temperate karst landform region (V), humid tropical-subtropical-humid-semihumid plateau temperate karst landform region (VI), humid subtropical-semiarid plateau temperate karst landform region (VII), and plateau-high mountain karst landform region (VIII). The karst landform in the region I is dominated by coral reefs (islands) and some scattered hilly karst where one national karst geopark has been established. Region II, typified by well-developed karst, is where 90 \% of fengcong (cone karst) and all fenglin (tower karst) in China occur, with semi-karst formations of hilly karst, valleys and plains. Thirty-one national karst geoparks are established in the region. Region III is characterized by buried, covered karst, and some karst mountains and hills, especially the cap-shaped karst; two national geoparks are established in this region. Region IV is characterized by ridge hill valleys, cluster hill valleys and karst mountain valleys; one national karst geopark is established in this region. Region V consists of middle-high karst mountains and widespread semi-karst landforms of hilly mountains; only one national karst geopark is established in this region. Region VI is characterised by high-mountain karst such as fengcong deep canyons and gentle fengcong canyons, where five national geoparks of karst are established. Region VII is characterised by undeveloped karst being no different from the non-karst landscape. Region VIII is characterised by two basic types of karsts, the high karst mountains and the semi-karst mountains. No karst geopark has yet been established in regions VII and VIII.