Final answer:
Karst landscapes are formed by the dissolution of limestone, leading to cave formation and the creation of speleothems such as stalactites and stalagmites. The lowering of the water table leads to the formation of new caves and the emptying of old ones, resulting in features like sinkholes. Human activities like drilling groundwater wells can impact these landscapes and surrounding ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The development of a karst landscape is a complex geological process that involves the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, mainly composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The formation of caves begins when water containing dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) seeps into cracks in limestone deposits, forming a weak carbonic acid that erodes the rock over time. As the limestone dissolves, cracks enlarge, and over tens of thousands of years, large caverns or caves can form. Inside these caves, when water carrying dissolved CaCO3 drips from the ceiling, speleothems like stalactites and stalagmites begin to form as the CO2 escapes and CaCO3 is deposited. When the water table lowers, new caves can develop, and old caves may become dry, supporting further speleothem growth. Eventually, the roof of a cave can collapse, leading to the formation of features such as sinkholes. Such a landscape, defined by its unique erosional features, is known as a karst landscape.
In regions such as Yunnan Province, China, and Campanet, Mallorca, Spain, we can find classic examples of these karst features. Over time, aboveground features may also develop, including the steep limestone pinnacles seen in the aforementioned Stone Forest.
Moreover, human-induced changes, like the drilling of groundwater wells for a new housing development, can affect the water table and consequently the stability of karst landscapes by creating cones of depression and affecting nearby ecosystems that depend on consistent water levels.