China Danxia

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of China Danxia from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Vegetation restoration of abandoned cropland improves soil ecosystem multifunctionality through alleviating nitrogen-limitation in the China Danxia

  Vegetation restoration of abandoned cropland (AC) in the China Danxia World Heritage Site alleviates nitrogen limitation, enhancing soil ecosystem multifunctionality. The study found that both naturally restored secondary forests (NF) and artificially planted forests (AF) exhibited higher carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) acquiring enzyme activities compared to AC, indicating rapid C and P turnover rates post-restoration. However, the restoration also increased microbial demand for C, shifting microorganisms from nitrogen-limited (< 45°) to phosphorus-limited (> 45°) conditions, with NF exacerbating this shift more than AF. The variation in soil extracellular enzyme stoichiometry (EES) was primarily driven by interactions among pH, soil nutrients, and microbial biomass, suggesting a complex regulation of microbial nutrient limitation. These findings highlight the potential for vegetation restoration to improve soil ecosystem health through nutrient management strategies.

  Wang, C., Yang, Q., Zhang, C., Zhang, X., Chen, J., & Liu, K. (2023). Vegetation restoration of abandoned cropland improves soil ecosystem multifunctionality through alleviating nitrogen-limitation in the China Danxia. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1116179

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• Effects of Forest Vegetation Restoration on Soil Organic Carbon and Its Labile Fractions in the Danxia Landform of China

  Bamboo forests (BF) exhibit the strongest carbon storage capacity among vegetation types in China's Danxia landform, outperforming Chinese fir forests (CFF), evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBF), mixed conifer–broadleaf forests (MCBF), and shrublands (SH). This finding is based on a study analyzing soil organic carbon (SOC) and its labile fractions—dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC)—across five vegetation restoration types. Researchers found that BF and CFF had higher SOC and EOC concentrations, while BF also led in DOC content. MBC was significantly greater in BF and EBF. Soil total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and invertase activity emerged as key drivers of carbon accumulation, with SOC and its fractions positively correlated with these factors but negatively affected by soil pH and bulk density (BD) in most cases. The study provides critical insights for ecosystem management and restoration strategies in Danxia regions.

  Xiao, Y., Huang, Z., Ling, Y., Cai, S., Zeng, B., Liang, S., & Wang, X. (2022). Effects of Forest Vegetation Restoration on Soil Organic Carbon and Its Labile Fractions in the Danxia Landform of China. Sustainability, 14(19), 12283. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912283

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• Study on the Characteristics and Utilization of the Danxia Geoheritage in Northwest China: Implication on Popularly Scientific Education and Undergraduate Teaching

  Human activities are significantly impacting the geoheritage of Tianfusha Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China Danxia, despite its primarily natural evolutionary origins. The study reveals that environmental factors have historically shaped this site, but recent human interventions are altering its geological characteristics. It highlights the site's high scientific research value, tourism potential, and educational significance, emphasizing the need for government-led conservation efforts and public education initiatives to balance geotourism development with geoconservation. A theoretical framework is proposed to integrate geoheritage into undergraduate geological teaching, combining theoretical studies with practical applications to enhance learning outcomes. This approach can guide future conservation programs and maximize societal value.

  Shu, H., Zhang, F., & Liu, P. (2022). Study on the Characteristics and Utilization of the Danxia Geoheritage in Northwest China: Implication on Popularly Scientific Education and Undergraduate Teaching. Geoheritage, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-022-00679-8

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• The Spatial Patterns of Red Beds and Danxia Landforms: Implication for the formation factors–China

  A clustered distribution pattern of Danxia landforms, concentrated primarily in Southeast China, the Sichuan Basin, and the Qilian-Liupan regions, was identified through spatial analysis. The study, which analyzed 1,100 Danxia sites and their relationship with red beds across China, revealed that these landforms cover approximately 9.5% of the country's land area. Using geological and tectonic maps alongside ArcGIS software, researchers performed adjacent index calculations and Thiessen polygon analyses to map the spatial patterns and assess the influence of tectonics on Danxia formation. The findings highlight the significant role of geological elements in shaping these distinctive landscapes.

  Yan, L., Peng, H., Zhang, S., Zhang, R., Kašanin-Grubin, M., Lin, K., & Tu, X. (2019). The Spatial Patterns of Red Beds and Danxia Landforms: Implication for the formation factors–China. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-37238-7

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• Stone pillar rockfall in Danxia landform area, Mt. Langshan, Hunan Province, China

  A significant rockfall event at the UNESCO World Heritage site of China Danxia, specifically at Mt. Langshan, was triggered by the rapid weathering and retreat of soft, intercalated rock layers within the Lanlong Formation. This process altered the stress state within the rock body, leading to compressive or tensile stresses exceeding the rock's strength limits, resulting in partial or complete collapse. The study analyzed 44 sandstone and conglomerate cores from the formation, assessing their mechanical properties, resistance to sulfuric acid, and freezing-thawing effects, while also examining rock slices under a polarizing microscope. A 3D finite-element model was used to reconstruct the pre-collapse geometry and restraint conditions of the stone pillar, providing insights into the stress dynamics that led to its failure.

  Yan, L., Peng, H., Hu, Z., Kašanin-Grubin, M., Greif, V., Chen, Z., & Simonson, S. (2016). Stone pillar rockfall in Danxia landform area, Mt. Langshan, Hunan Province, China. Physical Geography, 37(5), 327–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723646.2016.1218244

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• Morphometric Analyses of Danxia Landforms in Relation to Bedrock Geology: A Case of Mt. Danxia, Guangdong Province, China

  A study of Mt. Danxia, Guangdong Province, China, reveals that the morphometric characteristics of Danxia landforms—marked by red-colored sandstones and steep cliffs—are significantly influenced by lithology and fault systems. Using GIS-based geomorphometric analyses of 42 watersheds, researchers found that hypsometric integrals (HI) reflect lithological differences between eastern and western parts of the area, while stream length gradients and Hack profiles indicate strong fault control over stream direction. This work provides a detailed quantitative assessment of Danxia landforms, offering insights into their erosional evolution and geological controls.

  Zhang, W. (2013). Morphometric Analyses of Danxia Landforms in Relation to Bedrock Geology: A Case of Mt. Danxia, Guangdong Province, China. The Open Geology Journal, 7(1), 54–62. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874262901307010054

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