China is one of the countries in the world with largest
carbonate rock occurred, and it is in south China that the most
typical and diverse karst landforms developed. Centered by Guizhou
Province and covering some 600,000 square kilometers the South
China Karst terrain is believed the largest single karst area in
the world, including eastern Yunnan, most of Guizhou, with a major
extension into parts of Chongqing, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei and
Guangdong. With high altitude plateau (average 2000-2200 elevation)
in the northwest and low-lying plain (average 100-120 elevation) in
the southeast, the overall topography features a giant slope
declining from northwest to southeast.
South China Karst is?the title of the serial application
for the World Natural Heritage by Chinese Government. The nominated
property (Phase 1) comprises three areas of Chongqing Wulong Karst
(gorge), Guizhou Libo Karst (cone) and Yunnan Shilin Karst
(pinnacle). The total area of the three sites covers core area of
476 sq.km. and the buffer zones of 984 sq.km.
Form different perspectives, the karst areas comprehensively
reflect the unique natural features of the South China Karst
terrain, highlighting its special and representative karst
landforms, karst ecosystem and biodiversity, and exceptional
natural beauty.
Geologically, the South China Karst region is located in the
southwest margin of Yangtze landmass, in most Paleozoic and early
Mesozoic period (Cambrian to Triassic), this region was oceanic
environment with lower latitude than present. Thousands meters
thick carbonate layers, particularly late Paleozoic period
(Devonian, Carboniferous and Permian), deposited. Due to earth
movement, this region was uplifted as land since late Triassic and
started its karst landform development. Drawn by the Himalayan
mountain building since late Tertiary, this region experienced a
rapid tilting uplift which resulted in its today's sloping
topography.
Long tern complex geological evolution gave rise to exceptional
diverse karst landforms in this region, including the most typical
karst landforms in the world of tower kart (Fenglin), pinnacle
karst (Stone Forest), and cone karst (Fengcong), as well as some
unusual karst phenomena such as Tiankeng (giant karst pit) and
Difeng (deep karst fissure). Besides, there are numerous
spectacular underground cave systems and rich cave sediments. All
these make this region the world's "museum of continental
tropic-subtopic karst" because of its unrivaled richness and
uniqueness.
Within the South China Karst area, the thick carbonate layers that
deposited from Cambrian to Triassjc contain some globally
significant fossils such as the Fauna of keichousaurus Hui , etc.
which are the important life record of the earth.
The nominated area has richest biodiversity, containing abundant
rare, endangered and indigenous pant and animal species. In
Chogngqing and Guizhou karst areas there are more than 6000 higher
plant species, including D.involucrate, C. argyrophyll, Cycas
guizhouensis, Taxus chinensis, etc. threatened and endemic species.
This karst terrain is not only the home to plenty of animals
ranging from beasts, birds, amphibians, fish as well as cave
animals but also the home to many threatened and indigenous,
species such as Presbytis francoisi, Neofelis nebulosa, Aqila
chrysaetos, Moschus berezovskit, etc. i.e, the nominated area is
the sanctuary to many threatened plant and animal species.
Rich and unique karst landforms contained in the nominated area
display exceptional natural beauty, many areas have long been
traditional Chinese scenic resorts for hundreds years, of which,
the tiankengs in Chongqing, Stone Forest in Yunnan and the Guizhou
waterfalls are world-renown natural wanders.
(China.org.cn)