Karst Rocky Desertification in Southwest China: Remote Sensing Progress, Critical Challenges, and Future Pathways

Karst desertification is a major ecological and environmental issue that threatens regional ecological security and sustainable development; its dynamic monitoring is of great significance for evaluating the effectiveness of ecological restoration and promoting regional sustainable development. Based on the Web of Science database, this paper offers a bibliometric-informed narrative review of the evolution of remote sensing monitoring and information extraction technologies for karst desertification from 1987 to 2025. It focuses on analyzing research progress in methods such as multi-source remote sensing data fusion, deep learning models, and integrated GIS analysis, with regard to improving the accuracy of information extraction and the ability to identify spatiotemporal dynamics of karst desertification. This paper also compares the advantages and limitations of different technologies in terms of high-resolution identification and long-term dynamic monitoring. Building on this foundation and drawing on relevant domestic and international research findings, this study examines the development trends and major challenges facing karst desertification monitoring technologies. It further outlines the direction for establishing a long-term, standardized dynamic monitoring system, with the aim of providing a scientific basis for ecological governance and sustainable development in the karst regions of Southwest China.