Multi-scale spatial differentiation and formation mechanisms of rural settlements (RS): a Geodetector-based analysis in the middle-lower yellow river basin (ML-YRB), China
Focusing on the core issue of the multi-scale characteristics and driving mechanisms of spatial differentiation of rural settlements (RS) in the middle-lower Yellow River Basin (ML-YRB), this study aims to provide a scientific basis for the development and protection of regional RS. Using nearest ne...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1606333/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1839637344975585280 |
|---|---|
| author | Xiaoping Zhang Xiaoping Zhang Lu Yu Xin Wen Lijing Li Huabin Xiao Xunxi Yin |
| author_facet | Xiaoping Zhang Xiaoping Zhang Lu Yu Xin Wen Lijing Li Huabin Xiao Xunxi Yin |
| author_sort | Xiaoping Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Focusing on the core issue of the multi-scale characteristics and driving mechanisms of spatial differentiation of rural settlements (RS) in the middle-lower Yellow River Basin (ML-YRB), this study aims to provide a scientific basis for the development and protection of regional RS. Using nearest neighbor analysis, kernel density estimation and spatial autocorrelation, the study systematically reveals the spatial distribution patterns and scale-dependent differences of RS in ML-YRB at city, county, and town scales. Furthermore, geographic detectors are employed to quantitatively evaluate the explanatory power of natural geographical and socio-economic factors for RS spatial differentiation. The results show that: (1) In ML-YRB, RS shows clear spatial clustering, concentrating in areas with gentle slopes, low altitudes, favorable thermal humid conditions, and high agricultural potential. (2) RS clustering varies across scales. The Moran’s I values are 0.79, 0.75, and 0.81 at city, county, and town scales. (3) Geographical environment, location conditions, and socio-economic factors together shape the spatial pattern of RS in ML-YRB. Specifically, lower and flatter terrain, soil more suited to farming, and proximity to rivers and lakes are linked to denser settlements. Also, areas near cities and roads show a clear RS agglomeration effect. (4) Key factors affecting the spatial distribution of RS have been quantitatively identified: soil type, population density, water proportion, topographic undulation, road network density, and distance from the central town. These findings offer a direct basis for creating tailored spatial policies for RS development in ML-YRB. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-520b23fd74c0403c9af9da49fc19e6d1 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-520b23fd74c0403c9af9da49fc19e6d12025-07-07T05:26:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2025-07-011310.3389/fenvs.2025.16063331606333Multi-scale spatial differentiation and formation mechanisms of rural settlements (RS): a Geodetector-based analysis in the middle-lower yellow river basin (ML-YRB), ChinaXiaoping Zhang0Xiaoping Zhang1Lu Yu2Xin Wen3Lijing Li4Huabin Xiao5Xunxi Yin6College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, ChinaZibo Urban Planning Design Institute Co., Ltd., Zibo, ChinaFocusing on the core issue of the multi-scale characteristics and driving mechanisms of spatial differentiation of rural settlements (RS) in the middle-lower Yellow River Basin (ML-YRB), this study aims to provide a scientific basis for the development and protection of regional RS. Using nearest neighbor analysis, kernel density estimation and spatial autocorrelation, the study systematically reveals the spatial distribution patterns and scale-dependent differences of RS in ML-YRB at city, county, and town scales. Furthermore, geographic detectors are employed to quantitatively evaluate the explanatory power of natural geographical and socio-economic factors for RS spatial differentiation. The results show that: (1) In ML-YRB, RS shows clear spatial clustering, concentrating in areas with gentle slopes, low altitudes, favorable thermal humid conditions, and high agricultural potential. (2) RS clustering varies across scales. The Moran’s I values are 0.79, 0.75, and 0.81 at city, county, and town scales. (3) Geographical environment, location conditions, and socio-economic factors together shape the spatial pattern of RS in ML-YRB. Specifically, lower and flatter terrain, soil more suited to farming, and proximity to rivers and lakes are linked to denser settlements. Also, areas near cities and roads show a clear RS agglomeration effect. (4) Key factors affecting the spatial distribution of RS have been quantitatively identified: soil type, population density, water proportion, topographic undulation, road network density, and distance from the central town. These findings offer a direct basis for creating tailored spatial policies for RS development in ML-YRB.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1606333/fullmiddle-lower Yellow River Basinrural settlementsmulti-scalespatial distributioninfluencing factors |
| spellingShingle | Xiaoping Zhang Xiaoping Zhang Lu Yu Xin Wen Lijing Li Huabin Xiao Xunxi Yin Multi-scale spatial differentiation and formation mechanisms of rural settlements (RS): a Geodetector-based analysis in the middle-lower yellow river basin (ML-YRB), China Frontiers in Environmental Science middle-lower Yellow River Basin rural settlements multi-scale spatial distribution influencing factors |
| title | Multi-scale spatial differentiation and formation mechanisms of rural settlements (RS): a Geodetector-based analysis in the middle-lower yellow river basin (ML-YRB), China |
| title_full | Multi-scale spatial differentiation and formation mechanisms of rural settlements (RS): a Geodetector-based analysis in the middle-lower yellow river basin (ML-YRB), China |
| title_fullStr | Multi-scale spatial differentiation and formation mechanisms of rural settlements (RS): a Geodetector-based analysis in the middle-lower yellow river basin (ML-YRB), China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-scale spatial differentiation and formation mechanisms of rural settlements (RS): a Geodetector-based analysis in the middle-lower yellow river basin (ML-YRB), China |
| title_short | Multi-scale spatial differentiation and formation mechanisms of rural settlements (RS): a Geodetector-based analysis in the middle-lower yellow river basin (ML-YRB), China |
| title_sort | multi scale spatial differentiation and formation mechanisms of rural settlements rs a geodetector based analysis in the middle lower yellow river basin ml yrb china |
| topic | middle-lower Yellow River Basin rural settlements multi-scale spatial distribution influencing factors |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1606333/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xiaopingzhang multiscalespatialdifferentiationandformationmechanismsofruralsettlementsrsageodetectorbasedanalysisinthemiddleloweryellowriverbasinmlyrbchina AT xiaopingzhang multiscalespatialdifferentiationandformationmechanismsofruralsettlementsrsageodetectorbasedanalysisinthemiddleloweryellowriverbasinmlyrbchina AT luyu multiscalespatialdifferentiationandformationmechanismsofruralsettlementsrsageodetectorbasedanalysisinthemiddleloweryellowriverbasinmlyrbchina AT xinwen multiscalespatialdifferentiationandformationmechanismsofruralsettlementsrsageodetectorbasedanalysisinthemiddleloweryellowriverbasinmlyrbchina AT lijingli multiscalespatialdifferentiationandformationmechanismsofruralsettlementsrsageodetectorbasedanalysisinthemiddleloweryellowriverbasinmlyrbchina AT huabinxiao multiscalespatialdifferentiationandformationmechanismsofruralsettlementsrsageodetectorbasedanalysisinthemiddleloweryellowriverbasinmlyrbchina AT xunxiyin multiscalespatialdifferentiationandformationmechanismsofruralsettlementsrsageodetectorbasedanalysisinthemiddleloweryellowriverbasinmlyrbchina |