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2020 International Research Center on Karst (IRCK) under the Auspices of UNESCO Add: 50 Qixing Rd, Guilin, Guangxi, P.R.C (541004) Website: www.irck.edu.cn International Research Center on Karst (IRCK) under the Auspices of UNESCO

In 2020, with COVID-19 spreading worldwide, impossibility comes to on- Annual site visits. IRCK has a not- easy beginning; however, under kinds of Report support, all of us worked jointly to 2020 overcome those difficulties, and finally reached the set goals, even some unexpected achievements were also I would like to express my support for the international scientific obtained. Then, IRCK has a better cooperation envisaged in this project. ending of 2020. On this occasion, I believe this kind of collaboration is essential to overcome the problems we we’d like to extend our sincerest all face as a global society. acknowledgements to all the agencies that helped us during our tough time, I am sure the project will be a great success and I look forward to hearing and promise you a better new year. about its progress and success. ------Ms. Irina Bokova —IRCK Secretariat Former Director-General of UNESCO

We are confident that “Global Karst” will be a complete success thanks to the unwavering support from UNESCO. We are confident that “Global Karst” will be a complete success thanks to the experience that China can share with the world. We are confident that “Global Karst” will be a complete success thanks to the active participation of scientists around the world. We are confident that “Global Karst” will be a complete success thanks to the strong backing from the Chinese government.

-----Mr. Jiang Daming Former Minister of the Ministry of Land and Resources, China 02 03

CONTENTS International Training Scientific Research Academic Exchange Course 42

100 3.1 Hosts of important domestic 75 seminars/workshops 36 Organization and 3.1.1 The Second China Karst Experts ) 50

% Forum and the Seminar on the Management ( e t Comparison and Mapping of Karst a 25

n r Geological Environment in Key Areas o i 04 t 0 along the Belt and Road 36

1.1 Closer connection with UNESCO a r i N0 3.1.2 The Seminar of "Guilin Practice: v 1.2 Closer connection with National 2 -25 N10

O Sustainable Utilization of Typical Karst N25 C Commission of the People’s Republic -50 N45 Landscape Resources and Coordinated N70 of China for UNESCO, and closer Development of Ecological Industry" -75 under the China-ASEAN International collaboration with other C2Cs in China 06 00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 00:00 Time Forum on Sustainable Development and 1.3 All-out efforts to build up kinds of Innovation Cooperation 37 platforms 06 3.2 Attendance of important domestic 1.3.1 Dynamic ISO/TC 319 Kars 06 and international meetings 39 Sciences Popularization 3.2.1 KARST 2020 International 1.3.2 Active efforts to establish new Workshop on Conservation of Fragile and Consultation Karst Resources 39 platforms 07 3.2.2 China Annual Report on Karst 5.1 Theme science popularization 1.4 Preparation for upcoming Phase-II Geology and the 56th CCOP Annual activities 46 assessment and Phase-III renewed 2.1 Progress of “Global Karst” Big Meeting 40 5.1.1 The 51st Earth Day 47 3.2.3 Other domestic meetings 41 th agreement 08 Scientific Plan 12 5.1.2 The 49 World Environment Day:

2.1.1 Water cycle, water resources “Scientific Protection of Lijiang River” a public 1.5 The Third Session of the Second welfare painting competition for pupils 47 and water environment of karst Governing Board Meeting 09 catchments 12 5.2 Popular science products 48 2.1.2 Carbon cycle and carbon sink effect 17 2.1.3 Karst ecosystem and comprehensive control of rocky desertification 19 2.1.4 Karst sedimentary records and global changes 22 2.1.5 Geohazards and prevention in karst areas 23 2.2 Progress of IGCP 661 27 2.2.1 Expansion of the international research team 27 2.2.2 Progress of different karst critical zones 27 Appendix 2.3 Other progress 32 2.3.1 International advancement 32 6.1 The Schedule for the Training Course 50 2.3.2 Approval of relevant domestic research projects 34 6.2 List of Participants 51 IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 04 05

Organization and Management

1.1 Closer connection The International Research Centre on Karst under the auspices of with UNESCO UNESCO (IRCK) maintained closer communication with UNESCO offices, like the Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, the IGCP Secretariat, and UNESCO Beijing Office through mutual support and help. For example IRCK submitted its annual report regularly, and provided materials about its contributions to the UN 2030 Agenda;meanwhile, UNESCO provided their support and guidance to foster IRCK become better and better. In March, Ms.Marielza Oliveira, director of UNESCO Beijing Office sent a letter to director Hu Maoyan, expressing her support for IRCK under the epidemic , which encouraged the IRCK staff to overcome difficulties . IRCK once again truly feels a strong sense as a member of UNESCO family. In April, at the invitation of UNESCO Beijing Office, IRCK selected 12 training courses presented by world-renowned karst scientists meticulously to support its online training and education event, which provided a wonderful platform for relevant practitioners around the world to study and exchange ideas. In August, IRCK attended “Experts dialogue on SETI Priorities and Implementation Means Asia-Pacific Online Regional Consultation” hosted by UNESCO Jakarta Office, learned innovative experience and methods about how to contribute to the strategic objectives of natural science defined by C/5 and the relevant goals set by the 2030 Agenda from participating institutions. In December, IRCK provided the IGCP secretariat with relevant materials supporting the SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. IRCK is making its upmost efforts to support the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda. Closer connection with UNESCO through effective communication mechanism has promoted the mutual understanding between IRCK and UNESCO, facilitated the mutual support between IRCK and Left adove:Letter from Ms.Marielza Oliveira, director of UNESCO Beijing Office UNESCO, and made IRCK a stronger sense of belonging and Right above:IRCK supports the UNESCO Beijing Office to carry out online teaching and training Below:Experts dialogue on SETI Priorities and Implementation Means Asia-Pacific Online Regional Consultation mission as a member of UNESCO. Although COVID-19 in 2020, IRCK still completed the set work under the support and guidance of UNESCO. IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 06 07

Participating Member and Observer Member 1.2 Closer connection with the National Board Member (GB Member) of IRCK, with Commission of the People’s Republic Executive Deputy Director Cao Jianhua attended of China for UNESCO, and closer No. Participating Member No. Observer Member No. Observer Member the meeting and made speeches. IRCK expressed collaboration with other C2Cs in China its strong willing to make joint efforts to fight the 1 Austria 1 Argentina 12 Italy epidemic, which was admired by NCC. 2 Australia 13 Japan In 2020, IRCK participated in the meetings held by On December 29, a "virtual+on-spot" seminar 2 Russia the National Commission of the People’s Republic among NCC partners was held in Beijing. As one of 3 Bulgaria 14 Latvia of China for UNESCO (NCC) for twice.The meet- the four annual representatives from 15 C2Cs in 3 Portugal 4 Czech Republic 15 New Zealand ings aimed to strengthen exchanges among NCC China, IRCK made an online speech, introducing 5 16 4 Lithuania Finland Norway partners, share anti-epidemic experience, intro- its annual outcomes in 2020 and its work plan for 6 France 17 Poland duce annual work, make joint efforts for fighting 2021. 5 China 7 Germany 18 Serbia COVID-19, and promote the exchange and dissem- In the future, with the support of the NCC, IRCK ination of education, science, and culture. will continue to strengthen exchange and coopera- 6 Saudi Arabia 8 Hungary 19 Spain On April 30, NCC organized the "Seminar on tion with other C2Cs, make full use of these 9 India 20 Tanzania Promoting Cooperation with UNESCO to Fight the 7 Canada interdisciplinary platforms covering education, 10 Indonesia 21 Thailand Epidemic (Online)". Over 100 representatives of science and culture, and contribute to 2030 8 Switzerland 11 Iran 22 United Kingdom Chinese partners took part in this virtual meeting. Agenda jointly. IRCK shared experiences and exchanged speeches with other C2Cs, creative cities, chairs and partners. Prof. Jiang Zhongcheng, Governing On November 17, IRCK organized the training on karst standardization. The Standardization Administration of the P.R.C.(SAC) and experts in the fields of standardization of natural resources and spatial planning of national land conducted training to the scientists involved. The training focused on the process and rules for generating national or industrial standards, providing instructions to tackle frequent problems by case studies, which is significantly important to guide the compilation of guidelines, norms and standards on karst. NCC Partners’ Seminar Affected by COVID-19, the second plenary meeting preliminarily scheduled to be held in Canada in August 2020 was postponed to 1.3 All-out efforts to build up kinds of round of internal ballot on the Title, Scope and be held on August 24-26 in 2021 in Victoria platforms Strategic Business Plan, and improved its organi- of Canada. zational structure; meanwhile, the proposals for "Karst Speleology Terminology" and "Karst Critical 1.3.2 Active efforts to establish new 1.3.1 Dynamic ISO/TC 319 Karst Zone Monitoring Technology" were sought for platforms advice and planned to be formally submitted in The Karst Technical Committee under the Interna- 2021. Two new experts from Saudi Arabia and Iran tional Organization for Standardization (ISO/TC 319 joined this TC. At present, there are 42 mem- In 2020, IRCK applied for various international Karst) was formally established in 2019. It is bers from 23 countries including Austria, Bulgaria, and domestic platforms actively, with one another important international platform applied by India, Germany, and Portugal etc working in international platform, two domestic Above: Website of ISO/TC 319 Karst IRCK. Prof. Jiang Zhongcheng, the GB member ISO/TC 319 Karst. Moreover, a new website platforms, and one vice ministerial-level th Below: Training on karst standardization of IRCK, is the chairman of this committee. In was established for better management and platform approved. At the 74 Meeting of 2020, ISO/TC 319 Karst completed the second popularization. IUGS Executive Committee, IRCK was IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 08 09 officially designated as an affiliated organization desertification in the southwest. Moreover, the of IUGS, making karst geology to be an Innovative Center on Karst Collapse Prevention International Big Scientific Plan, fostering the important member of IUGS, and bringing new Technology was also approved by China regional development along the "Belt and Road", impetus to the discipline construction of karst G e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y ( C G S ) , p r o v i d i n g a and establishing various platforms, IRCK will geology. In September, the China-Slovenia Joint professional platform to develop prevention complete the self-evaluation in accordance Laboratory on Karst Geology was approved by technology for geohazards. with the settled goals and functions defined

the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), These new platforms, targeting on bilateral by the renewed agreement, summarize and providing a bilateral platform for the comparative cooperation with the “Belt and Road” countries, refine the achievements and contributions around study of karst between the two countries. In disciplinary construction of karst geology, and the medium and long-term planning of UNESCO . , December, the Observation and Research innovative development, aim to carry out all- and 2030 Agenda systematically Meantime

Station on Karst Rocky Desertification in round interdisciplinary research crossing IRCK will also summarize the contributions to

Southwest China was enrolled by the priority different fields at different levels, and provide the concept of “Jointly building a community of

national station construction list, providing key more diversified platforms for service and shared future for mankind” proposed by President studying sites for the observation on rocky cooperation. Xi Jinping, and the concept of “Ecological Diplomacy” proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources. With the support of various ministries New platforms approved in 2020 and commissions, IRCK will enhance the internationalization of its talents, operations and No. Approval Time Platform Type Platform Major Focus other aspects. 1 Jan.2020 International IUGS Affiliated Organization Discipline construction Since September of 2020, IRCK has officially Platform of karst geology started its preparation for the second-phase evaluation and the third-phase renewal. It is 2 Sep.2020 National Bilateral China-Slovenia Joint Laboratory Joint research on monitoring, hoped that through a step-by-step work plan, the Platform on Karst Geology resources and environmental second-phase evaluation and the third-phase effects of karst renewal work will be successfully implemented. 3 Dec.2020 National Observation Observation and Research Station “One station with multiple and Research Station on Karst Rocky Desertification in research sites" was adopted Southwest China to set up a network covering 1.5 The Third Session of the Second Above:Chief Engineer Zhang Zhanhai ( left 3) of the Ministry of typical karst landforms and Governing Board Meeting Natural Resources gave advice to IRCK environment in southwest China. Below:Hu Maoyan, director of IRCK (right 2), with the delegation has a discussion with Qin Changwei, Secretary General of NCC

4 Sep.2020 CGS S&T Innovative CGS Innovative Centre on Karst Karst collapse mechanism, (left 2) and his colleagnes Conter Collapse Prevention Technology early warning and prevention On December 21, the Third Session of the Second Governing Board Meeting of IRCK was held in Guilin by “Virtual + On-spot” pattern. A total of 16 domestic and foreign GB members were invited to attend the meeting. They were 1.4 Preparation for upcoming Phase-II under the Ministry of Education, the Department of from 14 agencies including UNESCO Department assessment and Phase-III renewed Science & Technology and International Cooperation of Ecology and Earth Sciences, the International agreement under CGS, as well as the International Research and Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), NCC, Training Center (IRTCES) on Erosion and Sedimentation, China Mining Association, CGS, Western Ken- one of the C2Cs in China on natural science. Chief tucky University, Serbia Chapter of International On September 8-10, 2020, Director Hu Maoyan, Engineer Zhang Zhanhai of MNR, Secretary-General Qin Association of Hydrogeologists, Chinese Acad- Executive Director Cao Jianhua led a four- Changwei of NCC, Deputy Chief Engineer Zhu Lixin, as emy of Geological Sciences, Tongji University, member delegation to Beijing to consult how to well as Director Ning Duihu of IRTCES discussed with China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), process the upcoming Phase-II assessment IRCK delegation with in-depth exchanges. Guangxi and Guilin administrations on science and how to apply for the signing of the Through the discussion, IRCK learned about latest and technology, Guangxi General Geological renewed Phase III agreement. The delegation requirements for evaluation and renewal of UNESCO Environmental Monitoring Station under Depart- met with four organizations, including the and Chinese administrative ministries. Based on the ment of Natural Resources, as well as the Department of International Cooperation under important achievements in promoting the "Global Karst" Institute of Karst Geology (IKG). the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), NCC At the host of Mr. Peng Qiming, chairman of the IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 10 11 Governing Board, all members reviewed the biennial work report for 2019-2020 IRCK Work Plan Outline (2021-2022) and the biennial work plan for 2021-2022, and listened to IRCK’s presentation on Plans Contents organization and management, scientific research, international cooperation and training, as well as science popularization. Management To organize annual work meetings; to participate in serial events of nd All the GB members agreed that the work of IRCK in the past two years was UNESCO and the Alliance of C2Cs in China ;to prepare the 2 phase evaluation and the renewed agreement for the 3rd period operation, highly effective and fruitful, especially in 4 aspects: 1) closer and effective and to cooperate with Chinese National Committee of MAB coordination and communication with UNESCO, IUGS, and MAB; 2) the technol- ogy with social significance as landscape resources development and natural Scientific research and social service To implement on-going projects to promote Global Karst; to focus on the interaction between lithosphere and biosphere; to expand the heritage sites protection, water resources development and utilization, karst cooperation with the countries(regions) along the Belt and Road; to collapse prevention and reduction, as well as ecological industry construction apply for new international cooperative projects, and to serve for the social demand. and comprehensive treatment technology of rocky desertification; 3) the stable, International communication, continuous and influential annual international training courses; and 4) effective To promote the exchange of karst technology; to participate in and organize cooperation and training the events for the International Year of Cave and Karst; to improve the scientific popularization. influence of international karst research by the cooperation in various fields; Regarding the work plan of IRCK for 2021-2022, the Governing Board put and to organize the international training and spread the karst knowledge forward the following suggestions: 1) to strengthen the communication with Science popularization and consultation To carry out themed and conventional science popularization activities; to IUGS, and operate better as an IUGS affiliated organization under the leadership establish the science popularization network of geoparks and natural of the new president; 2) to prepare for the second phase evaluation and the third heritage sites; and to make the products of popular science phase renewal as soon as possible so as to pass the evaluation and signed the renewed agreement successfully under the guidance by UNESCO, NCC, MNR and other relevant agencies; and 3) to serve for science and technology innova- tion and development plan, focusing on the contribution to poverty alleviation, the application of new instruments and technology to geohazards prevention and control, as well as the support for major engineering construction. In a word, IRCK should do better to support major development such as high-speed railway construction, hydropower construction, and green urban ecological development. By showing of hands, all the GB members approved the abovementioned two documents.

Li Pengde, deputy director general of CGS, made a speech

Above:GB members voted for the biennial report and work plan Below:Group photo of on-spot attendees IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 12 13

Scientific Research

2.1 Progress of “Global Karst” Big Scientific Plan

In 2020, the investigation and research carried degraded. This study selected a case of a out by IRCK has promoted the implementation spring water source affected by a river, and of the International Big Scientific Planon d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a n d Idealized scheme of groundwater capture areas and transit time perimetersaround an unconfined “Resources and Environmental Effects of consequences of the groundwater-surface spring source (Fang Guo, Guanghui Jiang, Journal of Hydrology, 2020) Global Karst Dynamic Systems” (Global Karst), water interaction of karst springs through with progress in many fields achieved. hydrological,hydrochemical and biological indicators. 2.1.1 Water cycle, water resources and The study area Wuming County is located in layering. The back flow of the river caused the research found that the pollutants, microorganisms water environment of karst catchments the north of Nanning, Guangxi,China.Controlled spring-lake-river to experience a short but and plankton were affected by downstream by south subtropical monsoon climate, the strong groundwater-surface water interaction. rivers adversely due to the existence of the annual rainfall is 1,100-1,700 mm and the Due to the combined effects of land use interaction zone, influencing the protection Karst area is dominated by the hydrogeological annual average temperature is about 21.9℃.The changes, increased groundwater extraction, effect of current first-grade water source units of underground rivers.The land use has a annual variation of karst water table is a n d c l i m a t e c h a n g e , t h e d i s c h a r g e o f protection zones. Therefore, it is necessary to close relationship with groundwater resources generally 0.5-16m. Lingshui is a typical large groundwater from karst springs in the consider the active groundwater-surface water and water environment . By learning from new structural karst spring,also the spring with the interactive zone significantly decreased in the interaction when divided the first-grade hydrogeological concepts and technologies, largest flow in the Wuming Basin. Lingshui dry season. The hydraulic balance between protection zone. tracking progress in regional and global critical Lake, the outlet of the underground river with a groundwater and rivers has been broken, and 2) Preliminary study on the degradation zones, IRCK scientists carried out the research recharge area of 400 km2, is mainly composed the frequency and duration of river backflow mechanism of petroleum organic pollutants on the hydrological process and their resources of the Najia syncline water storage structure in have increased. These changes have weakened by karst groundwater and environmental effects, e.g. slope hydrological the north of Lingshui, with the outlet flow rate the hydrological and hydrochemical functions process and its effects on drought and soil Due to the spatial heterogeneity of karst fractured as 4,000L/s in dry season.The hydrological and of the interaction zone. erosion, groundwater-surface water interaction aquifer in north China, the transportation ecological process of the karst spring beside The aquatic ecological environment of lakes flow and pollution caused by over-exploitation channels are complicated for petroleum organic the river is very sensitive to environmental supplemented by spring water is affected by of water resources. pollutants. Because of frequent fluctuation during disturbance:there are significant gradients of hydrological conditions, local water environment short time, it is difficult to predict their changing 1) Research on karst spring interaction zone pH, water temperature and dissolved oxygen and the intensity of human disturbance.Therefore, trend for short ,but it is possible to find a long-term reveals the vulnerability of karst groundwater along the spring-lake-river in forward flow; the lake's aquatic ecological environment changing trend under continuous observation. Karst springs are important water resources, whereas, in reverse flow, the water level protection should not be limited to the karst The initial pollution source in the study area but due to the conduits connecting with the change of the lake is not synchronized with the groundwater recharge catchment, but also be was neither identified nor blocked, and the surface, the water environment is easily chemical change, resulting in obvious chemical extended to rivers outside the catchment. The concentration of petroleum organic matters in IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 14 15

karst fractured aquifer was increased; with the increased with the increase of DIC and CO2, It is currently the southernmost apple shallow soil moisture during the germination implementation of effective measures and the indicating that the process of anaerobic plantation in China with better economic and period. The trees on the east slope and west natural restoration capacity of the karst fractured biodegradation of petroleum organic matter did ecological benefits.However, despite the slope mainly use 0-10cm deep soil moisture, aquifer system itself, the concentration of the n o t o c c u r i n t h e p r o c e s s o f m e t h a n e sufficient local light and heat conditions, the with the utilization ratios as 62.6% and 81%, pollutants has significantly decreased. The 13 production. δ CDIC increased with the increase of rainfall is highly uneven, coupled with the respectively. The apple trees at the depressions - NO3 in the karst fractured aquifer serves as DO, indicating that the action of microorganisms special karst geological background, water mainly use 10-20cm deep soil moisture, with the electron acceptor that is preferentially used in the water body significantly changed the limited the growth and ecological restoration in the utilization ratio as 47.9 %. in the biodegradation process. As the isotopes of the water environment.Based on the the rocky desertification area of southwest (2) The apple trees on the east and west concentration of petroleum organic matters existing test results, the capacity of the karst China significantly. slopes, or at the depressions mainly use 0- - decreases, the NO3 concentration increases, fractured aquifer calculated by the electron The research has used hydrogen and oxygen 10cm deep soil moisture during the new-tip 15 the δ NNO3 in the water body decreases, and acceptor model to biodegrade petroleum stable isotopes to study the soil moisture vigorous growing period; however, compared 2- organic matter is 27.48mg/L, which is far utilization at different depth during the three with the germination period, the absorption and SO4 continues to be lower than the background value, indicating the occurrence of anaerobic greater than the existing concentration value of major growth periods of apple trees, revealing utilization of soil moisture below 20cm is - 0.36mg/L. The first-order kinetic attenuation the moisture utilization strategy. IsoSource increased. biodegradation. The increase of NO3 with the coefficient is used to predict that the existing decrease of petroleum pollutants indicates that model and the MixSIAR model were established (3) The apple trees mainly use the deep soil 18 - petroleum organic matter can be completely based on δD and δ O values of soil moisture, moisture at 60-80cm and 80-100cm depth there is a continuous source of NO3 in the area. degraded after 6 years. apple tree xylem water and atmospheric More than 90% of the organic matter in the during the fruit swelling period. precipitation. The results are as follows : groundwater in the area is chlorinated 3) Isotope technology reveals the source of hydrocarbons, and the biodegradation of water used for apples in graben basins (1) Apple trees in the study area mainly use chlorinated hydrocarbons makes the Cl - Since the National Project on Comprehensive concentration in the water body higher than the Rocky Desertification Control was implemented

background value.The CO2 degraded from the in the karst rocky desertification areas in petroleum organic matters dissolved in water southwest China, apple has been planted on - the Dongshan Plateau in the Mengzi Basin in a will increase HCO3 of the water body, thereby 13 larger scale, where there was severe rocky reducing the pH value δ CDIC decreased with 13 desertification, achieving some good experience. the increase of DIC and CO2, and δ CDOC

Temporal and spatial variation characteristics of petroleum organic matters in karst fractured aquifer(Yongli Guo, Contribution rate of water sourcestoapple trees on the east slope, west slope and at the depression during et al., Environmental Science different growth periods (average %+ standard deviation) (a: germination period; b: new-tip growth period; and Pollution Research, 2020) c: fruit swelling period) (Hou Weijie, Master Dissertation, China University of Geosciences(Beijing),2020) IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 16 17 6 -1 4) Influence of expressway tunnel construction about 2 km. The previous catchment survey groundwater confluence is only divided into carbonate weathering is 477×10 tC·a , which on karst aquifers showed that these tunnels have had a serious two layers-the confluence of epikarst zone and may increase by 9.8%-17.1% with the change that of the underground river system.This of land use and the increase of rainfall. Tunnel excavation in karst area will affect the impact on the local karst water system and simple model makes it possible to build a However, the dissolution of carbonate caused local natural karst hydrological process and ecological environment, and it is necessary to distributed hydrological model in karst area by nitric acid and sulfuric acid generated by runoff cycle, leading to surface water leakage, analyze and evaluate the hydrological effects with only a small amount of hydrogeological human activities should be deducted when underground river drying up or even cutoff, and of tunnel excavation in karst areas. data. The tunnel module is a specially calculating the carbon sink. The average other serious ecological and environmental A fully distributed karst tunnel hydrological designed submodule to quantify the influence nitrogen fertilizer input amount in China is problems such as karst collapse, tunnel water model (KTHM) with relatively simple structure of the hydrological effect of the tunnel on the huge, promoting the decomposition or inrush and so on.Taking karst valley in and parameters based on physical parameters water quantity at the outlet of the underground accumulation of soil organic matter, promoting Zhongliangshan Mountain of Chongqing as an is proposed.Compared with other commonly river. If the tunnel submodule is closed, the the generation and emission of soil CO , and example, there are three tunnels in the study used hydrological models, the structure of 2 2 model becomes karst hydrological model regulating karst carbon cycle indirectly. When area of only 12 km , with the average distance KTHM is relatively simple. The module for (KHM), which can be used to simulate other the nitrogen fertilizer input is greater than the karst catchment without tunnels. amount absorbed by the plants, the excessive The simulation of 20 times of runoff process fertilizer will be nitrified and generate nitric acid, and 2 times of annual runoff process in which will participate in the karst carbon cycle Field survey and modelling data collection Zhongliangshan Mountain Karst Valley area of directly through the dissolution of carbonates. Chongqing, showed that the karst hydrological Through a series of potted simulation simulation effect based on KTHM model is experiments with different nitrogen application Karst developmenl data better than that of KHM, reflecting that the concentrations, and the groundwater observation Tunnels data Hydrogeology data DEM,soil type and Rainfall and tunnel submodule designed in the model is in the Lijiang River Basin, the researches on the land use type flood data effective and necessary. The difference of lime soil nitrogen effects on the carbon cycle runoff simulated by the two models (KHM and intensity and its source-sink effect, the lime tracer test and infiltration KTHM), representing the impact of tunnels on soil-groundwater nitrogen effects on karst test Divide karst sub-basins the water quantity at the outlet, namely the tunnel carbon cycle, the migration and transformation hydrological effect, is calculated. The sensitivity of nitrogen at the river basin scale and its Rainfall,evaporation calculation Improve Improve Tunnel Build sequence of tunnel hydrogeological effect on involvement in the karst carbon cycle have been module submodule KTHM algorithm different runoff in the study area is as follws: carried out , with the following conclusions achieved: dry season runoff > normal runoff > total Runoff generation and annual runoff > peak flow > total flood. Tunnel drainage confluence calculation

2.1.2 Carbon cycle and carbon sink effect 100 Optimize paramcers Uusatis factory Performance evaluation Uncertainty analysis 75

CO2 is the most active factor in karst dynamic ) 50 system and one of the main driving factors of %

Simulation of runoff under tunnel influence Unsatisfactory ( e karstification. It shapes and transforms the t a 25

surface and subsurface karst morphology and n r o

Katst underground river simulation i Surface river simulation results in carbon sink. With the support of t 0 a r i different projects, IRCK have carried out various N0 v researches on the process of CO -driven 2 -25 N10 Satisfactory 2 O N25 C dissolution, the carbon sink effect of coupling -50 N45 Model validation and uncertainty analysis soil and aquatic plant photosynthesis, the N70 stability of carbon sink, and the change of -75 00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 00:00 carbon flux at interfaces. Time Modeling and Calculation flow chart of the KTHM（Ji Li et al., Journal of Hydrology, 2020） 1) Coupling mechanism of soil carbon- Change rates of soil CO under different N-fertilization nitrogen cycle in karst area 2

The net atmospheric CO2 sink formed by land IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 18 19

Potted simulation experiments with different converted into organic matter with O2 released, nitrogen concentrations found that the effect of which is different from the traditional concept

nitrogen fertilizer on soil CO2 increased by that CO2 is released during calcium carbonate 10.5% to 30.6%, and the corrosion rate of the precipitation. Taking the typical karst aquatic test piece increased by 1.8 to 3.6 times. The system-Lijiang River as the research area, the soil respiration rate also increased with the research investigated the daily and seasonal increase of fertilization, with an average of changes of water chemistry and isotopes to 26.97~48.95 mgC·m-2h-1, which was 7%~60% understand the C-N coupling cycle. Results higher than that without fertilization. Fertilization showed that about 50% and 72% of the organic leads to an increase in soil carbon source and carbon in the DOC in summer and winter come sink, and with the increase in nitrogen from the primary productivity of aquatic Time application, the sink/source ratio increases organisms. The results of diurnal monitoring - - DIC and NO3 loss due to metabolism of subaquatic communities and changes in DOC from 0.44% to 0.91%. showed that the conversion of DIC and NO3 in (Haijuan Zhao, et al., Journal of Hydrology) Lime soil has three acid buffer mechanisms: the Lijiang River is mainly controlled by the carbonic acid-dissolved calcium carbonate, metabolic processes (photosynthesis and nitric acid-dissolved calcium carbonate and respiration) of aquatic organisms, accompanied cation exchange. The lower concentration of by the formation of DOC.The consumption ratio 3) Interaction of carbon cycle and calcium of carbon forms, but also a carbon sequestration - 1 - 1 – migration in karst water and evaluation of process. n i t r o g e n f e r t i l i z e r ( k g N h a a ) m a i n l y of DIC and NO3 by aquatic photosynthesis is participates in the karst carbon cycle indirectly 9 : 1 ( m o l / m o l ) , a n d D O C i s p r o d u c e d , carbon stability 13 15 - by increasing the concentration of soil CO2. The accompanied by the enrichment of δ CDIC, δ N - Through high-resolution monitoring and high- 2.1.3 Karst ecosystem and comprehensive – 18 – frequency sampling, the diurnal dynamic nitrification acid production is all buffered by NO3 and δ O-NO3 , with the enrichment amounts control of rocky desertification cation exchange, and the dissolution of soil as 7.9‰ /d, 10.6‰/d, 11.2‰/d respectively. On changes of water chemistry in Guilin Chaotian calcium carbonate comes from soil CO . When River, inorganic carbon removal and its 2 daily time scale, the proportions of DIC and 1) Long-term agricultural plantation in the fertilizer concentration is 250~700 kgN ha-1a-1, – biogeochemical control mechanism were NO3 consumed by the metabolic processes of southern China reduces soil inorganic + studied. Under the control of aquatic 45% of H participates in the corrosion of aquatic organisms are 6.2% and 7.1%, nitrogen supply calcium carbonate directly, and 55% of H+ is photosynthesis and calcium deposition, the respectively, and these values are consistent - 2+ 13 pH, DO, SpC, HCO and Ca of river water In karst areas, cash crops are often planted, buffered by cation exchange. The δ C in the with their corresponding values on the interannual 3 DIC but with the prolonging of planting, the crop time scale. However, the consumption ratio of produced significant diurnal changes. The leakage is controlled by the partial pressure of growth slowed down, and insufficient soil – diurnal variation of these water chemical soil CO2 rather than the intensity of nitrification. DIC and NO3 in the dry season is higher than in indicators is related to the river bed substrate nitrogen supply may become a limiting factor the rainy season. Through aquatic photosynthesis, 15 2)The carbon-nitrogen coupling cycle in the and the types of aquatic plants. In the 1.65 km for the growth of cash crops. The N isotope about 1.18×107kg C and 1.64×106kg N are water environment restricts the conversion l o n g p r o c e s s f r o m N i a o l i n g B r i d g e t o labeling method was used to investigate the converted into organic matter in the Lijiang of DIC to DOC in the Lijiang River aquatic Lianghegou monitoring point, the removal or soil nitrogen transformation rate of typical River every year, of which 80% and 79% of DIC ecosystem precipitation of calcium and dissolved cash crops in the karst area of southwest and NO - are consumed in the rainy season. In The carbon and nitrogen cycles in the karst 3 inorganic carbon were 302 kg/d and 997 kg/d, China; meanwhile, the soil nitrogen supply addition, the DIC and NO – involved in the C-N aquatic system are closely related, and the 3 respectively. Part of the DIC removed from the was evaluated. The results showed that as the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is coupled coupling cycle can promote the production of monitoring reaches is converted into organic planting years goes on, the soil nitrogen controlled by the metabolism of aquatic endogenous DOC and form a relatively long- carbon, and some is deposited in the form of conversion rate decreased, the nitrogen organisms. During the C-N coupling cycle, term carbon and nitrogen sink in the karst calcium carbonate. The results implies that:(1) supply was insufficient, and the inorganic aquatic photosynthesis can consume DIC and aquatic system. the photosynthesis of aquatic plants in rivers nitrogen conversion rate slowed down. The – soil inorganic nitrogen supply is significantly NO3 , which means that DIC can keep relatively in karst areas with higher content of DIC, can stable by converting DIC to OC; while consuming inhibit degassing at the water-air interface, positively correlated with the organic matter – content, but negatively correlated with the clay NO can improve water quality. In addition, the meaning a CO2 buffering effect; and (2) part of 3 content, indicating that the rational application C-N coupling cycle can lead to the precipitation the DIC is fixed in the form of organic carbon of organic fertilizers can improve the soil of calcium carbonate in the karst aquatic and calcium carbonate, which proves that with environment and enhance the soil nitrogen - the participation of ecological processes, the system. In this process, DIC and NO3 are karst carbon cycle is not only atransformation supply. IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 20 21

Contribution ratio of red soil in karst to non-karstjunctionareato valley soil

Effect of long-term agricultural planting on soil nitrogen transformation process in karst area 3) Soil organic carbon isotopes in the east desertification in the basin. C4 plants account (Farzaneh Garousi et al., Geoderma) Yunnan faulted basin reveal the relationship for more than 70% basin or slopes, and C3 between C3 and C4 vegetation transformation plants account for more than 70% plateau, 2) Soil geochemical characteristics in the karst and the potential source can be established. and geo-climate probably caused by the long-term plantation of to non-karst junction area of Mashan County, The geochemical characteristics of lime soil Understanding the controlling factors of soil corn in basins and slopes in historical periods. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and zonal soil are significantly different. 13 However, the plateau suffered cold climate, organic carbon isotopic (δ CSOC) changes and According to the test indicators, the geochemical which is not suitable for the growth of C4 plants Lime soil is the result of long-term dissolution, the process of vegetation succession is of fingerprint factors such as As, Cd, Cr, Co, Hg, such as corn. On the same terrain, with the weathering and bioconcentration of carbonate great significance for guiding ecological Mo, Ni, P, Zn and K2O are screened out, and the intensification of rocky desertification, the rocks. The dissolution residues are the major restoration and agricultural production in karst source contribution ratio is calculated by the proportion of C4 plants to δ13C increased, source of lime soil. It has still high Ca, Mg content rocky desertification areas. The relationship SOC hybrid multivariate model. The results showed after leaching of alkaline material, desilication and between the distribution of C3 and C4 plants and that of C3 plants decreased. With the that:(1) in the junction area from non-carbonate aluminum enrichment, so that the soil is neutral and rocky desertification is still unclear. Taking intensification of rocky desertification, the rock to carbonate rock, the contribution ratio of or alkaline. The secondary enrichment of heavy the soils from the areas suffering different composition of vegetation species has zonal soil to valley soil decreases from slowly metal elements during the carbonate rock degrees of rocky desertification at different changed from trees (C3 plants) to small shrubs to rapidly;(2) the contribution rate of zonal soil weathering and soil formation results in the soil geomorphological parts (basins, slopes and and herbs (C4 plants). This result has made transported to karst areas by underground with significant heavy metal elements content. plateaus) in the Mengzi Faulted Basin in sense for guiding the ecological restoration rivers can still reach more than 90% after tens Valley is one of the landform types affected by Yunnan as the major object for the research, and agricultural farming practices in karst of kilometers’ moving, while lower proportion of human activities in karst areas most severely. It the spatial variability of the distribution rocky desertification areas. For example, when has dense population, concentrated villages zonal red soil in dry valley soils that are less 13 performing rocky desertification ecological characteristics of δ CSOC was studied. The and towns, and well-developed agricultures affected by allogenic water, meaning that the restoration in a karst faulted basin, not only the contribution of C3 and C4 plant species to and river networks. The soil at the bottom of the proportion of allogenic materials in karst areas 13 influence of altitude and vertical climate must δ C under different rocky desertification valley may have different degree of mixture of is controlled by topography and hydrological SOC be considered, but the distribution characteristics degrees in faulted basin was discussed. The carbonate rocks’ and non-carbonate rocks’ conditions; and (3) the eroded soil caused by of C3 and C4 plants must also be considered. δ13C value has decreased with the altitude parent materials. underground rivers in the karst area recharged SOC Selecting the suitable tree species according changing from basin, slope to plateau gradually. Fingerprint technology is an important by allogenic water mainly comes from the zonal to local conditions is of great significance to With the same terrain conditions, different rocky method to identify the source of sediment in a soil formed in non-karst area. The study uses promoting the ecological restoration of rocky desertification degrees don’t have significant river basin. Its theoretical basis is that the geochemical fingerprints and hybrid model desertification areas. impact on the δ13C of slopes and plateaus, p o t e n t i a l s o u r c e o f s e d i m e n t c a n b e methods to determine the sources and soil SOC while significant different δ13C values of mild distinguished according to the characteristics proportions in karst valleys, providing basic SOC of soil materials, so that the "fingerprint" with support for the study of soil geochemical elements’ r o c k y desertification and severe rocky the ability to identify the source can be migration and ecological environmental effects in s c r e e n e d , a n d t h e n t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g karst areas. relationship between the sedimentation area IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 22 23

13 The relationship between δ Csoc and environmental Variables (Hui Yang, et al., Acta Carsologica, 2020)

2.1.4 Karst sedimentary records and global was not significantly different from the changes perennial year. Due to the strong El Niño, the Comparison of δ18O changes of drip water and related environmental parameters in Maomaotou Rock Cave, Guilin yearly precipitation in Guilin was as high as (Jianjun Yin et al., Boreas , 2020) 3,006 mm, resulting in a lighter annual Monitoring of atmospheric precipitation, cave weighted average δ18O of rainwater and a dripping water, and modern sediment system in lighter δ18O of cave dripping water. Further 2.1.5 Geohazards and prevention in karst Focused on bedded mountain, 9 kinds of large Guilin area found that the main controlling 18 18 analysis found that the precipitation δ O in areas collapses and landslides models in typical factors of cave dripping water δ O are different Guilin area is mainly controlled by the intensity karst mountainous areas, according to 3 types at different time scales such as individual event- of the East Asian monsoon and ENSO model, of occurrence as oblique, near horizontal and scale rain, seasonal and inter-annual. On the The karst mountainous area in southwest while the change of precipitation is mainly steep dipping, have been initially established, scale of individual event-scale rain, the δ18O of C h i n a s u f f e r s f r o m f r a g i l e g e o l o g i c a l controlled by the intensity of the subtropical providing geological models for subsequent dripping water from caves mainly reflects the environment and frequent catastrophic high in the western Pacific.Therefore, more key blocks division and mechanical analysis. The source of atmospheric precipitation water landslide, which threaten the habitat safety cautions should be paid to the interpretation of research has carried out preliminary research on vapor. The δ18O of near-source water vapor and social stability seriously. In order to cave stalagmites δ18O at different time scales key controlling factors and mechanical models for precipitation is heavier, and the δ18O of remote- improve the capacity for geohazard prevention for tropical and subtropical areas of South different hazard-inducing environments and source water vapor precipitation is lighter. On and the control in karst mountainous areas, the China, and even the entire East Asian monsoon hazard models. Taking oblique slip as an seasonal and inter-annual scales, cave research team of Prof. Li Bin with the Institute example, the soft sliding interface (bed) as the 18 area. of Geomechanics under the Chinese Academy dripping water δ O is not only controlled by key blocks for controlling the slide, the changes in precipitation δ18O, but also by of Geological Sciences carried out the project of "Disaster Models and Risk Prevention of mechanical analyzing model was proposed precipitation changes. Taking 2015 as an based on the three evolution of weak and soft example, the whole-year water vapor source Catastrophic Landslide in Karst Mountainous Areas" with high quality in 2020, with the interlayer of carbonaceous shale, that are, following progress achieved: primary soft rocks → interlayer shear zone → slide zone, revealing the evolution of the slide 1) Disaster model of catastrophic landslide controlling by carbonaceous shale. in karst mountain area IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 24 25

2) Water-rock coupling of karst mountains stimulated based on probability theory and and unstablization mechanism by seepage statistics; meanwhile, applying depth-first The study on the seepage of the matrix pores search algorithm and shortest path algorithm to was carried out. Based on CT test and image explore fractures connection laws, then processing technology, the geometric structure quantifying the analysis of the fractures’ of the micro-scale rock matrix was constructed influence on the seepage direction and velocity, by using random statistical mathematical by calculating and analyzing the fractured- methods, and the fractal characteristics of the medium seepages. microscopic pore structure were analyzed. The In the three-dimensional fractures network, expression formula for permeability of matrix the fractures are composed of two parts, one is pore seepage is proposed. the isolated fractures and the fracture cluster The QGCS (four-parameter random growth (ISO), and the other is the connected component method) is used to construct digital cores and CONCOM, the intersection of multiple fractures in porous media microstructures, with irregular pairs that penetrate the fractures network. solid matrix distribution and curved solid-liquid Through the DFS search algorithm, we can boundary, and the boundary angle changes determine connected component CONCOM, r a n d o m l y. T h e f r a c t a l p a r a m e t e r s w e r e then using the Djkstra algorithm to determine determined according to the porous media the backbone of the three-dimensional fracture Searching for connected paths in fractured media geometric model based on fractal theory, the network. If deleting some dead-end fractures of finite element method is used to simulate the CONCOM, a simplified connected component seepage of single-phase fluid, and the SPCC could be obtained. relationship among permeability, geometric After the identification and feature extraction 3) Damage mechanism of collapse and then the slope body moves and deforms characteristics (porosity, seepage path and of large-scale dissolution structures, the landslide caused by mining on karst mountains downhill; with the continuous expansion of the identification and feature extraction of pore size) of pore structures, and fractal The large-scale physical model experimental mining area, the fractures continue to extend dissolution fractures in the rock mass can be features is explored as well. results showed that with the continuous to the slope surface, the deep and large carried out, that is, selecting the local area. If Using the fractal theory, the theoretical mining, the stress and deformation response structure expands downwards and connects the resolution is insufficient for accurate expression of the permeability reflecting pore of the slope body are constantly changing, and with the mining fractures in terraces. When description of the fine structure, it is better to seepage can be obtained as follows: the expansion of the structural planes and the mining to the slope root, the slope is fully use waifu2x convolutional neural network destructive characteristics of the slope body mined, continuing to sink and be compacted, model method to enhance the resolution non- under different mining sequences are various. and the slope root is extruded, the slope rock 3 destructively, and then the fracture information 1 (D f -1) feff 3 During downward mining, the overlying rocks bridge is cut, resulting in shear slip-toppling kmin = l （1） can be extracted, with multi-scale karst 12 3 t2 a r e d e f o r m e d l i k e c a n t i l e v e r b e a m o r destructive. D f dissolution structural features obtained, based cantilever plate, the foot of the overlying 4) Dynamic characteristics of high long- on which a multi-scale model could be set up for mountain moves downwards and undergoes distance landslide in karst mountainous further research. 3 sinking deformation first; then the overlying areas 1 (3 +D f )(D f -1) feff 3 k = l（2） 4 2 slope loses support and undergoes cantilever Based on field investigation and disaster- 12 D f t tension deformation; the fissures are stretched inducing process analysis, the formation obliquely downwards, making the rock mass patterns of landslide in karst mountainous Based on the rock mass scale, focusing on the structure loosened, later, the mountain slope areas in southwestern China are divided into typical fractured aquifer in karst area, with continues to sink and be compacted, the slope f o u r c a t e g o r i e s : c o l l a p s e - d e b r i s f l o w, discontinuous surface surveys of outcrops or root is squeezed, and eventually, the slope landslide-debris flow, collapse-advanced air boreholes, the random fractured networks was rock bridge is cut, resulting in shear slip- blast effect chain, and landslide-swell chain. toppling destructive. During upward mining, Taking four typical karst mountain landslide, the underground mining causes the overlying namely Nayong landslide, Shuicheng landslide, rock downhill to occur beam-slab type bend Zengziyan landslide, and Fuquan landslide,as and sink, forming a terraced tension fracture, cases, the research focuses on the inducement IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 26 27 4 3 4 and dynamics of different types of high-speed landslide, and revealing the dynamic inducing sliding mass increased from 70×10 m to 116×10 contact is almost elastic striking, with energy 3 and long-distance rocky landslides. Using multi- mechanism of the whole landslide process. m , showing that the volume was shoveled and scraped transmission as the main mechanical effect. The 4 3 methods, such as landslide signals, video According to the law of landslide movement was 46×10 m . c) Impact-slipping mode: the sliding mass started to move at high level had images, high-density resistivity geophysical and accumulation, focusing on the underlying sliding mass is hard-rock clastic blocks, the greater kinetic energy, generated huge striking prospecting, and numerical simulation, to carry bed, the research summarizes four impacted bed could be shoveled is thin and bedded power after sliding and striking the impacted out analysis coordinately, realizing the shoveling and scraping modes of high bedrock, and the sliding mass movement is unit, which is loosened, disintegrated, and inversion analysis of the whole process of landslide in karst mountainous areas: mainly horizontal pushing and pressing. The splashed afterwards, moving for long distance. different types of high-speed and long-distance underlying bed is usually the thin bedded rock Jiguanling Landslide happened on April 30 of and soil like shale with worse performance, 1994 is a typical case (Wang G., et al., 2014; meanwhile, the front part is free or with weak He K., et al., 2018), the 400×104 m3 limestone barrier. The sliding mass slides downwards, sliding mass was cut at high level, then struck destroys the stress of the bed that could be the hard rock strata below, and brought away Sliding mass Sliding mass 4 3 Sliding mass Saturated scraping unit Sliding mass Soft scraping unit shoveled at the impacting point concentratedly the 60×10 m bed that could be shoveled after Shoveled unit Shoveled unit at first, then moves the whole mass of the impacting by the huge energy transmission. Scraping unit Scraping unit shoveled bed forwards. Jiweishan Landslide is Xinmocun Landslide happened on June 24, Basal unit Basal unit Basal unit Basal unit a typical case (Gao Y., et al., 2016), the 2017 is another typical case (Yin et al., 2017; 4 3 Xu Q., et al., 2017), the nearly 400×104 m3 ( a ) Embedded shovel-up mode 500×10 m sliding mass was cut at high level, ( b ) Entrainment mode then struck the front-edge bedded mountain, sliding mass impacted, shoveled and scraped, making the shoveled unit moved forward by making the 800×104 m3 accumulation below Sliding mass Sliding mass Sliding mass Sliding mass Bedded scraping unit Fragmentary energy transmission. The volume of the shoveled restart to move, and resulted in debris flow. Shoveled unit scraping unit Shoveled unit unit reached 80×104 m3. d) Impact-splash Scraping unit Scraping unit mode: the sliding mass is hard-rock blocks, the Basal unit Basal unit Basal unit Basal unit bed could be shoveled is also harder rock or

( c ) Impact- slipping mode ( d ) Impact -splash mode clastic accumulations, and the sliding mass

Conceptual impacted shoveling and scraping modes of high and long-runout landslide 2.2 Progress of IGCP 661 2.2.2 Progress of different karst critical zones

a) Embedded shovel-up mode: the sliding the sliding mass is hard-rock clastic blocks, the 2.2.1 Expansion of the international 1) Karst critical zone of temperate Mediterranean mass is hard-rock clastic blocks, the bed could bed could be shoveled is thin and weak research team climate be shoveled is thick and weak Quaternary Quaternary residual soil, and the sliding mass residual soil, the sliding mass impact is mainly movement is mainly horizontal cutting. As the Due to the epidemic in 2020, under the help of vertical, the initial contact is that the front edge most frequent mode for landslide, the sliding The critical zone (CZ) of earth is one of the hot Slovenian side, the Chinese project members of sliding body embeds into the underlying bed, mass possessing greater tangential cutting issues in the field of geosciences at present. installed the monitoring instruments and the plastic area is mainly developed vertically, power, the plastic area is mainly developed IGCP 661, with its features on karst critical tested the water quality and water quantity the sliding mass mainly accumulated at the tangentially, the sliding mass is easy to cut and zone, has attracted more and more attention of online in March 2020. The monitoring station is impacting site, and the shoveled bed continues entrain the bed that could be shoveled and scholars around the world who are actively located in Planina Cave (the main outlet of the to move forwards after being shoveled. wrap it into the sliding mass, making the applying for taking part in. After scientists from underground river in this catchment) of Zhaojiagou Landslide is a typical case, the volume of the sliding mass enlarged and Austria, Russia and Poland joined the project Postonja karst area. The water level, sliding mass is mainly composed of sandstone moving further. Shuicheng Landslide (Jul 23, research team, Prof. Jin-Yong Lee and Prof. temperature, conductivity, turbidity, pH and and hard limestone, after sliding downwards, 2019) is a typical case (Gao, et al., 2020; Wang Heejung Kim from the Department of Geology dissolved oxygen index were monitored the mass shoveled the thicker Quaternary L, 2019), the sliding mass impacted, shoveled of Kangwon National University, Republic of online. The monitoring system operated well residual soil with saturated water at the and scraped residuals on the way. According to Korea took part in the IGCP661 in 2020 according to the monitoring data in March, surface, making its volume increased seriously the remote sensing images before and after, the successively, expanding the influence of the which recorded a set of data every 5 minutes. (Yin et al, 2017). According to the documents ( sliding mass took away a large quantity of project and strengthening the international Hungr, et al., 2004), the Frank Slide in Canada surface Quaternary residuals, with obvious trails research team further. As of 2020, 52 karst is another typical case. b) Entrainment mode: of shoveling and scraping. The volume of the scientists have been involved to promote the effective implementation of IGCP661. IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 28 29

The integrated monitoring system of soil CO2 was the external environment in tropical karst to the environment. They have obvious installed and tested on November 15, 2019. It is areas. The soil profile monitoring station in seasonal effects and rainfall effects, with the located in the grassland ecosystem of the Bloska Chiang Mai has been used to study the content increasing in rainy season and Polica Depression in Postonja karst area of response of the important CZ part-soil layer to decreasing gradually in dry season. The soil the rainfall and temperature. CO content at 50 cm depth is higher than that Slovenia. The atmospheric CO 2 concentration 2 at 20 cm depth, because that the soil CO (CO2-air), temperature (T-air) and humidity (RH), Based on the survey and monitoring data, 2 the karst process is strong in the tropical karst content at 20 cm depth is controlled by both as well as soil moisture, temperature, and CO2 concentration at different depths (20-50 cm) are area of Thailand, and the subsoil dissolution soil temperature and soil moisture, while that monitored online. So far, this monitoring system is rate in the Phu Toej tropical peak cluster- at 50 cm depth is mainly controlled by soil effective, with one set of data (including 12 indicators) depression area is 1.5-2.5 times than that in the moisture. being recorded every 5 minutes. By March 28, 2020, southwest subtropical region of China. Karst springs Carbonate rocks are widely distributed in 38,880 sets of data have been recorded. In general, and underground rivers in the Phu Toej Spring Basin Southeast Asia, forming well-developed the soil moisture reaches highest at 20 cm depth and Badanwang Underground River Basin are tropical-subtropical karst, and aquifers with underground, lower at 50 cm, and lowest at 30 cm, generally characterized by high conductivity, large quantity of water. Southeast Asia has showing a trend that lower at middle part, but higher high calcium and high bicarbonate content, become an important and classic karst area in at shallower and deeper part. Soil moisture is which mainly caused by the high temperature, the world. Groundwater flow is dominated by significantly affected by rainfall, increasing rapidly good vegetation cover, high soil CO2 concentration, conduit flows in karst areas and causes and strong dissolution. The comparison shows during rainfall. In winter, the soil CO2 content has various environmental problems, including gradually decreased generally, and recovered that underground rivers in tropical karst area rocky desertification, poverty and other socio- corresponding to the rainfall, also corresponding to of Thailand have relatively stable hydrological economic problems. According to the topography, and hydrochemical features, strong regulating karst in Southeast Asia is summarized into four obvious declining of atmospheric CO 2. This and storage capacity as well, due to uniform types: plateau karst, mountain karst, plain and indicates that the CO2 increased in soil peak is rainfall and dolomite-dominating aquifers. island karst, and is used as the reference for s u p p l e m e n t e d b y a t m o s p h e r i c C O 2 . T h e Typical soil profiles in Thailand shows more classification of the existing karst cases. atmospheric CO dissolved in rainfall and flew 2 rapid response of soil temperature, moisture rapidly into the soil system with water flow, causing and soil CO2 content at 20 cm and 50 cm depth rapid rise of soil CO2 that is extremely favorable for the dissolution of the underlying carbonate rocks. It also verified that karst process is beneficial to the

atmospheric CO2 sink. 2) Tropical karst critical zone In cooperation with the Department of Groundwater Resources and Department of Mineral Resources in Thailand, the dynamic monitoring of karst carbon cycle, hydrogeochemistry, soil CO and karst cave The monitoring instrument and data of water quality and 2 quantity at the outlet of Planina Cave Underground River environment has been carried out in typical karst areas of Kanchanaburi and Chiang Mai provinces of Thailand, aiming to solve the problems on karst dynamic systems, karst resources and environment jointly in the key areas along the Belt and Road. Hydrogeological survey and continuous high-resolution automatic monitoring of hydrology and hydrochemistry in PhuToej Spring and Badanwang Spring areas have been conducted to study the dynamic hydrological and hydrochemical response process and mechanism in tropical karst areas. The Qingdao Cave monitoring in Chiang Mai has been conducted to compare and study the response Kast distribution of Southeast Asia (Guanghui Jiang et al., Hydrogeology Journal, 2020) process and mechanism of the cave environment to IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 30 31

3) Subtropical karst critical zone The Dalongdong karst reservoir monitoring station in Shanglin county of Guangxi, is set up aiming to solve the problems such as carbon cycle process and mechanism of karst reservoir, and ecological environment evolution of karst reservoir under the background of global change. Based on system science of CZ that has multi-spheres, multi-elements, and multi-scales, combined with the multidisciplinary a n d integrated research, the "water-rock-air- ecology" comprehensive observation network is set up to form an automation field scientific observation and research platform, covering the meteorology, hydrology, ecology, geochemistry, remote sensing, and other research fields. After years of construction and improvement, there is now one meteorological observation station, three buoy fixed observation platforms and one buoy stratified observation platform in the Dalongdong Reservoir. In order to achieve high-resolution continuous monitoring (0.5 h) of meteorological indicators (air temperature, humidity, pressure, rainfall, light intensity, wind speed, and wind direction), reservoir thermal stratification indicators (5-level water temperature monitoring: surface, 2.5 m, 5 m, 10 m, and bottom) and water quality indicators (pH, EC, and DO, etc.). In addition, the automatic underwater ecological tomography imaging instrument was used to Coupled cycle of hydrology and biogeochemistry in karst critical zone and its temporal and spatial changes (Zhijun Wang, et al., 2020, Science of the Total Environment) carry out 6 times of water environmental Buoy-type layered observation platform for Dalongdong Reservoir monitoring along the route, and the multi- spectral UAV was used to carry out 2 times of rainfall changes quickly. The CaCO -CO -H O contributing 20%-30% weathering of the remote-sensing monitoring on water quality. 3 2 2 interaction is very strong in different critical carbonates in the catchment. In karst critical Taking a typical subtropical karst catchment - zones, and is affected by the seasonal zone, there is a strong coupling relationship Chongqing Qingmuguan as an example, the changes of hydrological processes and between hydrology and biogeochemical research has systematically studied the surface biological activities; nitrogen and process, and there is a close connection hydrochemistry and stable isotopes of soil sulfur efficiently migrate from the surface to between different spheres. Therefore, it is moisture, surface water, cave dripping water, the saturation zone, closely related to input necessary to carry out more systematic and underground river water, aiming to analyze sources, element conversion, and water flow monitoring on critical zone profiles, and reveal the source, migration, and temporal and spatial process. Human activities have affected the impact of climate change and human characteristics of the water and solutes (C, N, groundwater quality and critical zone process activities on the nature and function of the and S) in this critical zone profile, then to differently, for example, the allogenic acid critical zones from their dynamic changes. conclude the hydrological and biogeochemical produced by acid rain and the application of coupling cycle and its influencing factors. The nitrogen fertilizer in farmland participates in results showed that the karst critical zone usually and affects the carbonate weathering, has higher heterogeneity and permeability, so that the hydrological process could respond to IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 32 33

groundwater recharge and to the discharge of a karst 2.3 Other progress WOKAM, focusing entirely on karst in springs used for water supply. The disappearance of glacier carbonate rocks and addressing four main will lead to water shortages in summer and autumn, thus aspects (1) global occurrence and geographic 2.3.1International advancement requiring adapted water resources management. distribution of karst; (2) karst in various topographic settings and coastal areas; (3) 2) Ecological protection in karst areas 1) Global distribution of karst aquifers karst in different climatic zones; and (4) IUCN Guidelines: In 2020, Roger Crofts and John Gunn The World Karst Aquifer Map (WOKAM) was populations living on karst. According to the published the Guidelines for Geoconservation in protected published in 2017 by the German Federal analysis, 15.2% of the global ice-free and conserved areas, which is the first IUCN guide on Institute for Geological Sciences and Natural continental surface is characterized by the geological protection areas, clarifying the importance of Resources and the International Association of presence of karstifiable carbonate rock. The effective means to protect geological heritage, world natural Hydrogeologists. It is the first detailed and largest percentage is in Europe (21.8%); the heritage sites and UGGps. The guide is divided into nine complete global geodatabase concerning the largest absolute area occurs in Asia (8.35 chapters, focusing on key issues such as the purpose, distribution of karstifiable rocks (carbonates million km2). Globally, 31.1% of all surface definition, application, establishment, management, dealing and evaporites) representing potential karst exposures of carbonate rocks occur in plains, with threat, and education etc. This book is of great aquifers. In 2020, Nico Goldscheider, director 28.1% in hills and 40.8% in mountains, and significance to the geoconservation in protected and of the Institute of Applied Geosciences, at 151,400 km or 15.7% of marine coastlines are conserved areas in future. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT),Germany, characterized by carbonate rocks. About 34.2% Download link: published an article "Global distribution of of all carbonate rocks occur in arid climates, https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/PA carbonate rocks and karst water resources", followed by 28.2% in cold and 15.9% in G-031-En.pdf which presents a statistical evaluation of temperate climates, whereas only 13.1 and CaveMAB：CaveMAB is a network of biosphere reserves The cover of the Guidelines around global that treasure natural and cultural phenomena related to caves. This network will focus on connecting those of us working in caves and/or karst areas, recognizing that there are caves in multiple types of geologic environments that may benefit from participation. This net work will be multidisciplinary and address the similar challenges we all face, where social, educational, or scientific in protecting the biodiversity of the unique cave and karst environments within the Man and the Biosphere Program. While our mission and objective will be ultimately be decided among those interested in participating, our initial thoughts are to have a data driven network to promote protection of CaveMAB locations, further cave and karst e d u c a t i o n , e n h a n c e c o m m u n i t y i n v o l v e m e n t a n d sustainable development, and provide opportunities for shared experiences and research. Projects that we are World Karst Aquifer Map (German Federal Institute of Geological Sciences and Natural Resources, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, UNESCO, 2017) anticipate would be development of a CaveMAB website, database of cave and karst resources within the MAB program, identification and analysis of economic, social, and environmental benefits and challenges, development of 8.6% occur in tropical and polar climates, the global importance of karst and serve as a educational materials and workshops, and a network respectively. Globally, 1.18 billion people basis for further research and international meeting every three year to present results, share (16.5% of the global population) live on karst. water management strategies. In the field of experiences, and develop collaborative projects. The highest absolute number occurs in Asia water resources application, Professor Nico CaveMAB website: https://cavemab.com/ ( 6 6 1 . 7 m i l l i o n ) , w h e r e a s t h e h i g h e s t Goldscheider's study in a glaciated karst percentages are in Europe (25.3%) and North aquifer system in the Swiss Alps revealed that 3) International Year of Caves and Karst America (23.5%). These results demonstrate glacial meltwater contributes 20% to 35% to 2021 International Year of Caves and Karst is an important IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 34 35 e v e n t i n t h e k a r s t f i e l d i n i t i a t e d karst areas, such as karst collapse, karst by International Union of Speleology, the rocky desertification, degradation of karst List of newly approved projects of IRCK in 2020 (Representative ones) worldwide organization of cave and karst landscape resources, shortage of karst water e x p l o r e r s , s c i e n t i s t s , m a n a g e r s , a n d resources, karst critical zones, climate educators. change and other issues, aiming to contribute No. Project title Granted by Serves to SDGs Period Category “Explore, understand and protect” is the to SDGs defined by UN 2030 Agenda. main goal of the International Year of Caves The newly approved projects include two and Karst. With your help, we seek to: s t r a t e g i c s c i e n t i f i c a n d t e c h n o l o g i c a l 1 China-Slovenia joint laboratory MOST Goal 15: Life on Land 2021-2023 International cooperation • improve public understanding of how caves innovation cooperation projects funded by the construction and karst touch the daily lives of billions of M i n i s t r y o f S c i e n c e a n d Te c h n o l o g y people; ( M O S T ) , D e p a r t m e n t o f S c i e n c e a n d 2 Karst geology and water Department of Goal 6: Clean Water 2020-2024 International cooperation Technology of Guangxi (DOST), and a environment protection in Science and and Sanitation • promote the importance of caves and karst Southeast Asian Technology technological innovation guidance project through sustainable development, particularly ( DOST), in water quality and quantity, agriculture, funded by the Guilin Science and Technology Guangxi geotourism/ecotourism, and natural/cultural Bureau, which are conducive to international cooperation for karst science and the heritage; 3 Joint laboratory of development Guilin Bureau Goal 11: Sustainable 2021-2023 International promotion of "Global Karst". • demonstrate how the study and proper and sustainable management of of Science and Cities and Communities cooperation management of caves and karst is critical to karst landscape Technology ( GBST) global economic and environmental health; • build worldwide educational capacity Goal 11: Sustainable 2021-2024 Scientific research through activities targeted on cave and karst 4 Formation and collapse National Natural mechanism of water and air Science Cities and science; pressure fluctuation in karst Foundation • promote awareness of the interdisciplinary cavity (NSFC) nature of cave and karst science and m a n a g e m e n t , a n d e m p h a s i z e h o w 5 Spatial and temporal dynamics DOST Guangxi Goal 15:Life on Land 2020-2023 Scientific research interactions between different areas of of rocky desertification in science and management will be needed Guangxi increasingly in future research, education, and environmental protection; 6 Climate and environment change DOST Guangxi Goal 13:Climate Action 2020-2023 Scientific research • establish durable partnerships to ensure that in northeast Guangxi since 1852 these activities, goals and achievements AD continue in the future beyond the International Year of Caves and Karst. 7 Research, development and DOST Guangxi Goal 1:No Poverty 2020-2023 Scientific research demonstration of key technologies Goal 2:Zero Hungry Official website :http://iyck2021.org/ for sustainable utilization of Goal 11:Sustainable typical karst landscape resources Cities and Communities and coordinated development of 2.3.2 Approval of relevant domestic ecological industries in the Lijiang research projects River Drainage Basin

In 2020, IRCK staffs actively applied for 8 Contribution of microorganisms DOST Guangxi Goal 15:Life on Land 2020-2023 Scientific research different projects with a total of 17 scientific to soil organic carbon accumulation research projects were approved, including 4 during karst vegetation restoration approved by national agencies, 10 approved and its coupling mechanism by provincial and ministerial agencies, 1 approved by the prefectural and municipal 9 Joint research center for new DOST Guangxi Goal 15:Life on Land 20212023 Scientific research agencies, and 2 granted by open funds. These fertilizers and karst environment projects focus on a series of severe environmental and geological problems in IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 36 37

Southwest Karst Desertification Control under National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Professor Cai Yunlong with Peking University presided over the seminar. During the seminar, Prof. Jiang Zhongcheng, GB member of IRCK, stressed the importance of karst research along the Belt and Road, analyzed karst research advantages in China other than the other countries (regions), and highly expected more fruitful cooperation results with the countries along the Belt Academic Exchange and Road. Prof. Cao Jianhua, executive deputy director of IRCK, Prof. Zhang Cheng, secretary general of IRCK, and Dr. Xuqi with IRCK introduced “The geology, climate and karst development along the Belt and Road”, “China-Slovenia joint research on karst 3.1 Hosts of important In 2020, IRCK organized 11 important domestic conferences about the geology” and “The progress on ‘The Comparison and domestic seminars themes including “The Belt and Road" karst geology, sustainable Mapping of Karst Geological Environment in Key Areas /workshops utilization of karst landscape resources, karst rocky desertification along the Belt and Road’” respectively. Then, experts control, and karst ecosystem nitrogen cycle. and scholars also had in-depth discussions and exchanges on the natural succession law of vegetation 3.1.1 The Second China Karst Experts Forum and the Seminar on the in karst areas, the water and nutrient limits of Comparison and Mapping of Karst Geological Environment in Key Areas vegetation restoration, the ecological effect of along the Belt and Road comprehensive rocky desertification control and its contribution to poverty reduction, the ecological On November 19, 2020, the Second China Karst Experts Forum and the utilization of featured plants in karst areas and Seminar on the Comparison and Mapping of Karst Geological vegetation restoration in rocky desertification areas. Environment in Key Areas along the Belt and Road was held in Guilin, More than 30 experts from institutions like Peking aiming to exchange academic ideas and broaden the international vision. University, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, It was organized by IRCK , co-organized by National Innovation Alliance of the Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of China Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology of Above:Prof. Cao Jianhua, deputy director of IRCK gave a report Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangxi Institute of Below:The experts listened carefully to the reports during the Botany of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Yunnan seminar Geological Survey etc participated in the meeting. Acknowledgements:

3.1.2 The Seminar of "Guilin Practice: Sustainable Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR & Guangxi Utilization of Typical Karst Landscape Resources and Coordinated Development of Ecological Industry" Key Laboratory of Karst Ecosystem and Treatment under the China-ASEAN International Forum on of Rocky Desertification, MNR Sustainable Development and Innovation Cooperation

On November 28-29, at the China-ASEAN International Forum on Sustainable Development and Innovation Cooperation hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, organized by China- ASEAN Technology Transfer Center, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Science and Technology Department and Guilin Municipal People’s Government, IRCK organized a seminar on the theme of “Guilin Prof.Jiang Zhongcheng,GB member of IRCK,gave a speech IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 38 39 Practice: Sustainable Utilization of Typical Karst making and government management etc. L a n d s c a p e R e s o u r c e s a n d C o o r d i n a t e d On the afternoon of the 29th, the expert team of 3.2 Attendance of important domestic and Development of Ecological Industry”. IRCK initially summarized the progress of key international meetings At the seminar, three project leaders who are technologies for the sustainable utilization of responsible for the “Research and demonstration karst landscape resources in the Lijiang River In 2020, IRCK scientists participated in different of key technologies for the sustainable use of Basin, and gave a special report at a closed-door conferences themed on karst ecological environment karst landscape resources in the Lijiang River meeting hosted by Lan Yan, vice mayor of Guilin. protection, resources development and utilization. They Basin”, the “Research and demonstration of key The seminar held successfully. exchanged ideas with experts in water resources, technologies for the ecological industrialization of ecology, soil, cave protection and other multidisciplinary landscape resources in the Lijiang River Basin”, 3.1.3 Other important domestic meetings and the “Research and demonstration of key subjects, publicized the work progress of IRCK, technologies for the sustainable development and established extensive cooperation, and learned about utilization of Guilin landscape water resources” In 2020, according to work plan, IRCK organized 2 the latest development. report the research progress separately. Specially workshops on national key research and development projects, 5 seminars for academic invited experts, project members, representatives 3.2.1 KARST 2020 International Workshop on Conservation exchange, and the annual meeting for key from city, counties, and districts, as well as of Fragile Karst Resources business representatives discussed lively on l a b o r a t o r i e s . T h e s e m e e t i n g s c o n d u c t e d current status of karst landscape resources and discussions and exchanges on the management sustainable development issues, ecological of karst rocky desertification, sustainable From August 18 to 20, 2020, the KARST 2020 International industry development bottlenecks, difficulties in utilization of karst landscape resources, and Workshop on Conservation of Fragile Karst Resources, water resources regulation and utilization, nitrogen cycle in karst ecosystems, which are of organized by Western Kentucky University in the United technical support and big data services, decision- great significance to serve karst areas for poverty States, was held online. Representatives from more than alleviation and ecological protection. ten countries, including the United States, the the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and List of other important domestic seminars/workshops hosted by IRCK in 2020 China, participated in the workshop, with an average of 50-70 people keeping online. Many of them have No. Meeting Date Main contents involved in the relevant activities of IRCK as training lecturers and trainees. Prof. Yuan Daoxian, GB Workshop on the research results of National key Member/director of the Academic Committee of IRCK, Above:Yuan Daoxian (right one) and Cao Jianhua (left one) R & D project : Evolution of rocky desertification attended the workshop online 1 July 20-22 Project progress in karst graben basin and its comprehensive control and Prof. Cao Jianhua, attended the virtual meeting. Below:Professor George Veni introduced 2021 IYCK and demonstration The convener of the conference, Professor Chris Kick-off seminar of National key R & D project: Groves of Western Kentucky University, gave a brief Development and demonstration of key technologies Project introduction and introduction and welcomed delegates from various 2 July 23-24 on sustainable utilization of karst landscape resources work plan countries. Professor George Veni, AC Member of IRCK, of Lijiang River Basin President of UIS/President of American Speleology Mechanism of soil organic Association, gave a detailed introduction to the 2021 Seminar on carbon and nitrogen cycles in karst carbon stabilization; 3 August 13-14 International Year of Caves and Karst (IYCK).The event ecosystem soil microorganism and is planned to open at the UNESCO Headquarters in 2021, nitrogen cycles hoping to attract UNESCO’s attention and support for Karstification and global Seminar on ecological civilization construction in caves and karst. At present, IYCK website has been 4 September 27-29 change, development and preliminarily established, and the related information karst area evolution of karst landscape could be found at http://iyck2021.org/. Seminar on soil fertility improvement and soil carbon Soil nitrogen and The main content of this workshop includes:1) academic 5 and nitrogen in karst areas November 27-29 microorganism reports and discussions on the fragility of karst Annual meeting of Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, Karst carbon sink and karst environment, karst ecosystem rules, cave research, and MNR/Guangxi Region & Key Laboratory of Karst 6 December 05-06 rocky desertification control karst hydrogeology; 2) gathering well-known experts in Ecosystem and Treatment of Rocky Desertification , MNR k a r s t r e s e a r c h i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y t o c o n d u c t j o i n t Mechanism of karst-related discussions on topics of common concern and strengthen geohazards, development and 7 Seminar on eco-geological innovation programme December 11-12 the training of young talents; 3) to share the information utilization of karst water of 2021 IYCK, uniting karst scientists to prepare together resources IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 40 41 conservation, and rocky desertification related meetings, with the karst research control etc. not only contribute to the 2030 results in water, soil, biology and tourism Agenda effectively, but also significant to exchanged. IRCK’s researches served the regional cooperation organized by CCOP. social needs, sorted out the effective results and shortcomings, provided suggestions to 3.2.3 Other domestic meetings sustainable resources development and ecological restoration, and guaranteed balanced output of socio-economic and In 2020, IRCK attended 5 important karst-

List of important domestic meetings attended by IRCK in 2020

No. Meeting Sponsor Date Main contents IRCK introduced the Xiangxi UGGp Introduction Video of Xiangxi UGGp Poverty alleviation and special Workshop on poverty Natural Resources geological investigation in karst and expand the influence of karst science. alleviation supported Bureau of Lushui August 7 mountain area; karst resources 1 by geological survey Xiangxi UGGp, as a fresh UNESCO Global Geopark City development and ecological in Lushui City, Yunnan approved in July 2020, has attracted worldwide attention. restoration and protection At this meeting, IRCK introduced the generalities of the Soil Biology and geopark based on the application dossiers for UGGp， Bio-Chemistry Seminar on soil ecology New problems and opportunities 2 Committee of Soil October 25-27 attracting wide attention of attendees, especially, Prof. frontiers in the field of soil microbial ecology Sciences Society John Gunn, participating in the preliminary work for the of China application of Xiangxi UGGp, gave high comments to IRCK’s introduction. Hohai University, Yellow River Basin Ecological 3.2.2 China Annual Report on Karst Geology and the Environment China Country Report 2020 56th CCOP Annual Meeting Supervision and Administration Bureau, Ministry of On November 3-4, the 56th Annual Meeting of the The 8th China water Ecology and Build happy rivers and lakes, promote 3 October 29-31 Coordinating Committee for Geosciences in East Asia ecology conference Environment; North harmony between human and water and Southeast Asia (CCOP) was held online. The China University of Water Resources and attendees include: 12 member states, 9 partner countries Hydropower; Water like Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark and so on, as Resources well as 9 international organizations like UNESCO, the Committee of International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and Chinese Society of Natural Resources the Young Earth Scientists (YES). At the meeting, the Chinese representative made a wonderful national report Geological Society Speleology, cave tourism and and systematically introduced the achievements of 2020 exploration, investigation system and The 24th national of China, Shangli geological work in China. Two representatives from IRCK October 30 - method of Hanzhong karst tiankeng 4 congress of County CPC attended the meeting and learned about the research Committee; Shangli November 1 group, dating of karst sediments and speleology evolution history of paleoclimate, as results and work trends of different countries. The China County Government well as cave monitoring and protection Annual Report on Karst Geology compiled by IRCK is an important part of Country Report (China), covering major 2020 Consultation achievements in karst geological survey, scientific seminar on the Department of construction of Investigation, conservation and research, international exchanges and cooperation, Science and Guilin national scientific development and utilization informatization, and science popularization. Among 5 Technology of December 9-10 innovation Guangxi Zhuang of karst landscape resources in Lijiang them, the researches on karst carbon cycle and global demonstration Autonomous Region River Basin climate change, water resources development and zone for sustainable m a n a g e m e n t , l a n d s c a p e r e s o u r c e s s u r v e y a n d development agenda IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 42 43

International Training Course

On Octorber 26-30, and November 9-13 2020, construction based on karst geological IRCK organized the 12th International Training characteristics, etc. The effective organization Course on "Karst Resources, Environmental of the training course ensures efficient Effects and Ecological Industry" online in two communication between trainees and lecturers. phases. Due to the impact of COVID-19, this is On October 30 and November 13, the trainees the first time for IRCK to held virtual training attended final defense, introducing the karst course. A total of 17 well-known karst generalities of their countries and the main scientists from US, Serbia, Poland, and progress of their study. After the evaluation of the Philippines etc. were invited to give lectures, evaluators, 8 outstanding students from while 36 foreign trainees from 16 countries Slovenia, Philippines, Morocco, China, Brazil, applied to attend this training course. Myanmar and Iran were selected. The successful The trainees learned abundant karst science holding of this online training course has provided from the online lectures, including: the good experience for IRCK to explore more development of karst-related UGGps, the joint diversified training modes. The excellent reports development and protection of karst water of the lecturers and trainees have greatly resources, the formation and evolution of enriched the karst research materials from the typical karst landforms and its current status of world, laying a solid foundation for multilateral development and protection, vegetation and cooperation in the future. ecological restoration in karst areas, trans- boundary aquifers, and ecological industry IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 44 45

Online lectures (According to the training course schedule )

Outstanding presentations from the trainees IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 46 47 5.1.1 The 51st Earth Day

April 20-26 was the popularizing week for the 51st Earth Day. IRCK carefully planned and organized a series of activities with the theme "Cherish the earth, Seeking harmonious coexistence Sciences Popularization with nature". Affected by the epidemic, these activities were carried out online and Consultation with students from Guilin taking part in some on-spot events. Through variety patterns, major achievements on karst were displayed thouroughly. In 2020, IRCK continuously strengthened science popularization, by organizing 5 “virtual + on- Yuan Daoxian, academician with the spot” interesting activities, and generating 31 easy-to-understand popular science products. Chinese Academy of Sciences, and IRCK made full use of the WeChat public account, geo-cloud and other network platforms to Chen Weihai, chief scientist of a disseminate a large number of karst popular science articles, albums, and micro-videos, national key R&D program, as well as expanding the approaches for the public to access to karst. other experts were invited to give lectures online. After that, the online contest on karst popular science 5.1 Theme science popularization In 2020, IRCK carried out a total of 30 science knowledge was organized. Moreover, activities popularization activities (including 5 theme ones) with popular science articles on karst about 6,800 people involved. Thematic activities are groundwater, geological relics, and diverse in forms and rich in content, including popular karst collapse, etc. were placed on the science lectures, online competitions, and "virtual + on- website and official WeChat account, so spot" exhibitions. that the public may learn about karst science knowledge indoor. List of theme popular science activities In addition, the scientists also brought Particip popular karst science to the National No. Theme Time S ite Activity form -ants K e y B o a r d i n g P r i m a r y S c h o o l i n Zhaojue county, Liangshan prefecture, 1 The 51st Earth Day April 20-26 IKG Lectures Sichuan province. The popular science About knowledge was introduced through Let popular science education 6400 various patterns such as lectures, go to the schools, let all of us Zhaojue County, 2 April 20-26 Lectures protect the green mountains Liangshan videos, flyers, posters, and other and rivers Prefecture mutual events. Li Jikui, deputy section chief of the Education Bureau of The 49th World Environment Zhaojue County, and Sunzi Tuha, Day: “Scientific Protection of 3 May20-June 5 IKG Online 50 principal of the school, took part in the Lijiang River ” Painting competition related activities. Competition Above:Yuan Daoxian, academician of the Chinese Academy of Guohua th th 5.1.2 The 49 World Environment Sciences, gave online lectures 4 The 30 National Land Day June 25 Experimental Exhibition 60 Day: “Scientific Protection of Lijiang Base for Rocky Middle:Guilin's first "Geologist Li Siguang Squadron" attended Desertification River” a public welfare painting the online lectures in their classroom Control competition for pupils 5 National Science and Below:The 51st Earth Day science popularization activity in the August 23-29 Technology Week IKG Online 224 National Key Boarding Primary School in Zhaojue County, Exhibition IRCK held a public welfare painting Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province competition for pupils with the theme IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 48 49 List of Representative Popular Science Products

No. Title Author Product Type

Explore the "home" of new energy shale gas and 1 Ba Junjie Paper how“we”can use it

2 The causes of water bursting in karst tunnels Lin Yongsheng Paper

Sanqiao Natural Bridge: the creation of a marvel, Wang Zhe Paper 3 Wulong of Chongqing

Ancient spring made by nature: a case study of the Paper 4 drum well in Danzhai county, Guizhou province Li Lele

Awarded painting: A Wonderland Awarded painting: Protecting the Earth 5 Extreme climate and sinkhole Dai Jianling Paper

Article(in IKG WeChat Waterfall-the beating note on the river Shi Wenqing as "Scientific Protection of Lijiang River" from Guangxi and other provinces (regions). After 6 public account) May 20 to June 5. The objectives were to online voting and expert review, a total of 21 disseminate earth science knowledge, raise paintings were selected. This competition Album of geological relics in the key areas of public awareness to protect Lijiang River helped the pupils to understand current 7 Wumeng Mountain (Jiudongtian, Dafang County, Luo Shuwen Album Guizhou) scientifically, cherish Guilin landscape, and situation of the Lijiang River's ecological cherish ecological environment of earth and environment, stimulating them to learn more Karst Geology 8 South China Karst-Guilin landscape tops the world Textbook cherish the resources, enabling the general about karst geology, and raising their Committee p u b l i c t o u n d e r s t a n d k a r s t g e o l o g i c a l awareness to “cherish the resources and "Guilin landscape tops the world -Guilin Karst World Karst Geology Research investigation knowledge and ecological environment in protect the environment". There is a saying 9 Natural Heritage Site" education tour Committee route karst areas. This event was incorporated into that “Young are strong, the country strong”. Guilin's 2020 science popularization activities Good popularization education for young The formation and evolution of the main types of the and was granted by Guilin Science and would establish an important foundation for 10 carbonate rock geo-relics (karst peak cluster and peak Shi Wenqiang Micro video forest) Technology Bureau. ecological civilization construction in China. The event attracted great attention from pupils and their parents in Beijing, Jiangxi,

5.2 Popular science products IRCK systematically summarized the causes and prevention of karst geological disasters, the aesthetic value and protection of karst In 2020, IRCK completed a total of 8 popular landscape resources, the efficient use and science papers, 5 popular science articles, 6 development of karst water resources, and popular science albums, 2 popular science karst-related on climate change, and compiled textbooks, 1 popular science education route them into various educational products. Then, and 9 popular science micro-videos, established different groups may obtain key information in a tutor team, and applied for top geoscience an easy way and realize the benefits of science popular science education courses and top and technology. geoscience popular science education tour of Geological Society of China actively. IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 50 51 Schedule for the second phase training course (Mainly for students from America,Oceania and Asia)

Date Time Lecturer Title

08:30-09:45 Yuan Daoxian Karst and water environment issue along the Silk Road Nov. 9 09:45-11:00 Chris Groves The Mammoth Cave National Park World Heritage Site

Appendix 08:30-09:45 Jiang Zhongcheng Ecological industries development based on karstgeological Nov.10 features 09:45-11:00 Zheng Yuanyuan UGGp in China – Activities and Events

08:30-09:45 Cheng Hai Speleothem and Climate Change 6.1 The Schedule for the Training Course Nov.11 Zhang Yuanhai & 09:45-11:00 Technology and Methodology of Tiankeng Survey Shen Lina Schedule for the first phase training course The nature and conditions of hypogene karst – on the example (Mainly for students from Europe, Africa and Asia) 08:30-09:45 Andrzej Tyc of Southern Peru Nov.12 Chaiporn Karst Features in Satun UNESCO Global Geopark & Roles of 09:45-11:00 Date Time Lecturer Title Siripornpibul Sandstone Caves in Thailand

Nov.13 09:00-11:30 Assessment: Trainees’ presentation 15:00-16:30 Chaiporn Siripornpibul Karst Features in Satun UNESCO Global Geopark & Roles of Sandstone Caves in Thailand Oct. 26 Karst water development and protection bycooperation 6.2 List of Participants 16:30-18:00 Saša Milanović with water supplier companies in Serbia List of Lecturers (According to alphabet order of nationalities and names )

Formation, Evolution, Development and Protection of Name Gender Nationality Employer and Position 15:00-16:30 Liza Socorro J. Manzano theBohol Chocolate Hills, Philippines Oct. 27 Sustainable utilization of karst special plant resources Cao Jianhua Male China Deputy Chief Engineer of IKG 16:30-18:00 Lu Shuhua andvegetation restoration in Rocky DesertificationArea Lu Shuhua Male China Assistant researcher of Guangxi Institute of Botany Jiang Zhongcheng Male China Professor of IKG Research progress of European Transboundary Aquifers: Shen Lina Female China Associate professor of IKG 15:00-16:30 Zoran Stevanović Groundwater Management – Conflicts and Solutions Oct. 28 Yuan Daoxian Male China Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences 17:30-18:30 Chris Groves The Mammoth Cave National Park World Heritage Site Zhang Yuanhai Male China Senior engineer of IKG Senior engineer of National Geopark Network Center, Zheng Yuanyuan Male China Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences 15:00-16:30 Cao Jianhua Comprehensive treatment on karst rocky desertification Supervising Science Research Specialist of Department Philippines Oct. 29 The nature and conditions of hypogene karst – on the Liza Socorro J. Manzano Female of Environment and Resources, Mines and Geosciences Andrzej Tyc 16:30-18:00 example of Central Europe Burean Andrzej Tyc Male Poland Professor of Poland University of Silesia Saša Milanović Male Serbia Professor of University of Belgrade Oct.30 09:00-11:30 Assessment: Trainees’ presentation Zoran Stevanović Male Serbia Professor of University of Belgrade Member of Thailand National Cave Management Chaiporn Siripornpibul Male Thailand Committee Cheng Hai Male USA Professor of Xi'an Jiaotong University Christopher Groves Male USA Professor of Western Kentucky University IRCK Annual Report 2020 IRCK Annual Report 2020 52 53 List of Trainees (According to alphabet order of nationalities and names) List of Trainees (According to alphabet order of nationalities and names)

Name Gender Nationality Employer Name Gender Nationality Employer

Alberto Barioni Male Brazil University of São Paulo Su Mon Than Female Myanmar Pyay University

Beatriz Hadler Boggiani Female Brazil University of Munich Thida Oo Female Myanmar Pyay University

Isabella Brito Andrade Female Brazil INSTITUTO DO CARSTE Bertram John Swartz Male Namibia Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform

Thiago Ferreira Lima Male Brazil Speleological Observatory Ndubuisi Godstime Igwebuike Male Nigeria University of Belgrade Zhang Jian Male China University of Bordeaux Ross Dominic Darang Male Philippines Mines and Geosciences Bureau Romza Fauzan Agniy Male Indonesia Universitas Gadjah Mada Agot

Geological Agency, Ministry of Energy and Russyl Bryile Anthony Philippines Taat Setiawan Male Indonesia Q. Lanzaderas Male Mines and Geosciences Bureau Mineral Resources

Daniela Alexandra Teixeira Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences Reza Khoshraftar Male Iran University of Zanjan Female Portugal da Costa Ribeiro and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute Sarah Edalatian Arasteh Female Iran Kharazmi University Majola Kwazikwakhe Male South Africa University of the Western Cape Seyed Saeed Male Iran Ferdowsi University Hasheminezhad Paula Finini Female South Africa University of the Western Cape

Alexcia Cornelia Gray Female Jamaica Water Resources Authority Lovel Kukuljan Male Slovenia Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU

Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences Wallace Maurice Andre Male Jamaica Water Resources Authority Matej Lipar Male Slovenia and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute Jessie Mzati Kanyerere Female Malawi University of the Western Cape Jorge Ramon PeÑarada Male Spain/Brazil UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO Jelena Krstajić Female Montenegro University of Belgrade Salgado

Abderrahmane Wanaim Male Morocco Ibn Zohr University Le Canh Tuan Male Vietnam Hanoi university

Asmae Aichi Female Morocco Ibn Zohr University Nguyen Xuan Nam Male Vietnam Vietnam institute of Geoscience and mineral resource - Vietnam center on karst and Geoheritage Boualla Othmane Male Morocco Ibn Zohr University Institute of Geography, Viet Nam Academy of Science Nguyen Van Hong Male Vietnam and Technology EN-NASIRY Mohamed Male Morocco Ibn Zohr University

Department of Geological Survey and Mineral Han Naing Zaw Myanmar Male Exploration, DGSE

Department of Geological Survey and Mineral Kyaw Zay Ya Myanmar Male Exploration, DGSE

Myat Snadar Oo Female Myanmar Pyay University

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Myo Min Thank Male Myanmar Conservation