Agro-Forestry Integrated Management of Karst Rocky Desertification Control: The Model Establishment and Practices in South China

Karst rocky desertification (KRD) has become the most serious ecological environmental problem in South China. Since 2008, the Chinese government has implemented a special project for KRD control. Because there are large populations in KRD areas of South China who need to survive, KRD control must not only pay attention to the ecological effects of vegetation restoration but also take into account the economic benefits and industrial effects of the local populations' survival needs. Agro-forestry integrated management can produce remarkable economic effects in vegetation restorations and can play an important role in KRD control. In this review, firstly, the KRD hazards and control in South China were reviewed. The features and advantages of agro-forestry integrated management were concluded. Then, based on a typical case in South China, the model establishment and practice of agro-forestry integrated management for KRD control were introduced. The case results showed that agro-forestry integrated management achieved remarkable ecological and economic benefits in KRD control. Finally, the existing challenges and their optimization strategies of the agro-forestry integrated management for KRD control were provided. This review provides important clues for scientific KRD control and is of great significance for the sustainable development of the karst region in South China.