Land (Sep 2023)
Spatial Correlation between Water Resources and Rural Settlements in the Yanhe Watershed Based on Bivariate Spatial Autocorrelation Methods
Abstract
The production–living–ecological functions of rural settlements are closely tied to water resources, which are the primary influencing factors of the spatial characteristics of rural settlements. However, the specific relationship between water resources and the spatial characteristics of rural settlements remains unclear. Understanding the interrelationship between the two can better safeguard the ecological pattern of the basin and optimize the living environment of settlements. This study utilized multi-source data to calculate the water yield, water demand, and ecological surplus or deficit of water resources in the Yanhe watershed. We quantified the spatial characteristics of rural settlements and employed bivariate spatial autocorrelation methods to analyze the spatial correlation between water resources and the spatial distribution, scale, and boundary form of rural settlements in the Yanhe watershed. The results show the following: ➀ Seven sub-basins in the upper reaches exhibit a severe ecological deficit in water resources, with insufficient water resources to support the demands of regional socio-economic development. The middle and lower reaches have achieved a balance between water supply and demand. ➁ Rural settlements are most densely distributed in the middle reaches, with the smallest area scale, exhibiting a transitional spatial characteristic towards the upstream and downstream ends. ➂ The Moran’s I values of spatial aggregation and morphological index of rural settlements with respect to the ecological surplus or deficit of water resources are 0.36 and 0.50, respectively, indicating a strong positive correlation. The Moran’s I value of the area scale with respect to the ecological surplus or deficit of water resources is −0.60, indicating a significant negative correlation. This research has important practical significance for guiding the spatial layout of rural settlements in the Yanhe watershed and promoting their sustainable development.
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