Eco-benefits coupling of agroforestry and soil and water conservation under KRD environment: frontier theories and outlook

Karst rocky desertification (KRD) has become the most serious Eco-environmental problem in karst areas, seriously threatening the livelihood of local people and leading to their poverty. Modern agroforestry practices not only maximize the social and economic but also great ecological benefits, suggesting a possible control to KRD. Through reviewing the existing studies in relation to agroforestry and soil and water conservation, this paper systematically investigates into the ecological benefits from agroforestry, including the increase of carbon sequestration and soil fertility as well as soil microfauna, the conservation of soil and water, the mitigation of soil pollution and the reduction of greenhouse gas emission. It founds, across KRD areas, that there exists coupling ecological benefits when practicing agroforestry and conserving soil and water. Based on this finding, this paper further suggests the corresponding key technologies that welcome more studies: preventing soil leakage from underground; effectively utilizing water from above-and-below ground; developing highly-efficient and value-added water-saving industries; forming forest-grain-grass stereo optimal configuration. The aim is to ensure a favorable Eco-environment while at the same time to develop beneficial ecological industries across KRD areas.