Karst Dynamic Information System

Calculating CO₂ flux is one of the research objectives for Karst dynamics Laboratory. In the recent years, increasing of observation station makes it is possible to solve this problem in higher accuracy, correspondingly, it makes still greater demands on calculation methods. Because of the limitation to process the spatial datum with deferent sources, traditional method of artificial statistics is difficult to meet the calculation needs.

Supported by Karst Dynamics Laboratory, the project of Karst Dynamics Information System is implemented. The purpose is to provide a visible tool to manage the datum of karst dynamics researches and to give parameters for CO₂ flux calculation in higher accuracy.

Karst Dynamics Information System is developed by use of Visual Basic 5.0, and the initial results have been gained up to the present. The results are shown as following:

1. Digitization of the map of soluble rock in China

Based on the Map of Soluble Rock Types in China (1:4 000 000), the soluble rocks were divided into 7 types including limestone, limestone & dolomite, impure carbonate strata, less pure carbonate strata, and buried carbonate strata. (see figure1). Corresponding to the map, a database was established to record the rock types.

2. Digitization of the map of vegetation in China

Based on the Map of vegetation in China (1:12 000 000), the vegetation were divided into 8 types including forest, brush, grassland, limestone vegetation, grassy marshland, farmland, desert, and snow-cappedland. (see figure2). Corresponding to the map, a database was established to record the vegetation types.

3. Digitization of the map of rainfall in China

Based on the Map of rainfall in China(1:14 000 000), the precipitation contour were divided. (see figure3). Corresponding to the map, a database was established to record the value of each line.

To estimate the global withdraw of CO2 from atmosphere by karst processes, KDL will prepare a world karst dynamic GIS which covers all the karst areas of the the world.