Abstract: Rapid development and expansion of rocky desertification are the main cause of karst ecosystem carbon loss in China. However, the rocky desertification areas have a tremendous potential of carbon sequestration, and are one of the main battlefields of carbon sequestration. Based on the scientific understanding that karst small watershed is a basic ecohydrogeological unit of rocky desertification governance, we analyzed the watershed structure, matter composition, exchange and cycle characteristics, and classified the small karst watershed ecosystems in South China using RS and GIS, in order to promote ecosystem carbon sequestration capacity in this region. Based on local economic and social development priorities and environmental carrying capacity, the design schemes of rocky desertification restoration and carbon sequestration for different types of small karst watershed were put forward. Some typical ecological restoration models were established, such as “developing efficient ecological agriculture by rainwater harvesting and irrigation in karst plateau”, “developing planteating animal husbandry by planting artificial grass in karst depression”, “developing featured fruit industry by using solarthermal resource advantages of karst valley”, “developing bamboo and fruit industry by using water and soil resources of karst trough valley”. These models provide reference for the development of modern agriculture, local economy, and ecological civilization in rocky desertification region.

Key words: Quercus liaotungensis, soil moisture, loess hilly region, sapwood area., sap flux