Abstract: By quantifying the effectiveness of the comprehensive rock desertification control project in karst areas since its initiation in 2008, we aim to provide insights for future control efforts. Based on data of rocky desertification in the Beipanjiang River Basin in Guizhou Province in 2010 and 2019, we employ methods of transition matrix and overlay analysis to examine the characteristics of rocky desertification changes and the effectiveness of governance in the basin. Results indicate that 1) rocky desertification in the basin is mainly mild to moderate, and exhibits a spatial pattern characterized by heavy distribution in the north, middle, and east, light in the west, and less in the southeast. 2) From 2010 to 2019, the area of rocky desertification decreased by 1 071.89 km², and the proportion of karst area decreased from 41.14% to 33.20%. Moreover, the moderate and severe rocky desertification areas significantly reduced, with conspicuous reductions observed in the north and east parts of the region. The stable type was predominantly featured in chemical change, followed by the improvement type, while the degradation type’s area was smaller, with scattered distribution. 3) With respect to slope, rocky desertification is most concentrated in the range of 5°-25°, and the reduction is the most significant in the 25°-45° range. With respect to elevation, the area of moderate, severe, and extremely severe rocky desertification decreased for all elevation gradients. During the study period, vegetation restoration was the principal method used to control rocky desertification, with multiple control modes coexisting.

Key words: karst, rocky desertification, spatiotemporal variation, governance effectiveness, transformation matrix