Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment ›› 2018, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (6): 512-520.doi: 10.11934/j.issn.1673-4831.2018.06.005

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Analysis on Spatial-Temporal Evolution of Human Settlements Suitability in Keriya Oasis in Recent 20 Years

GUAN Jing-yun1, WAHAP·Halik2,3, LI Xiao-hu1, CHENG Yue1   

  1. 1. Tourism College, Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, Urumqi 830012, China;
    2. Tourism College, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China;
    3. The Key Laboratory for Oasis Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
  • Received:2017-10-30 Online:2018-06-25 Published:2018-06-14

Abstract:

By constructing a comprehensive evaluation index system of human settlements suitability and utilizing comprehensive evaluation model to calculate the human settlements environment index of Keriya Oasis in 1995, 2005 and 2015, the evolution of human settlements suitability was analyzed from the space-time perspective and the spatial pattern and geographical characteristics of human settlements suitability were quantitatively revealed. The results show that from 1995 to 2015, the human settlements environment index in Keriya Oasis appeared to be on a rise in general, the quality of human settlements was improved in the period, the area suitable for human settlements increased year by year, while the area of the critical suitable area and the low suitable area were generally decreased. As a whole the erosion of the ecotone on the periphery of the oasis caused by desertification remained serious. From 1995 to 2015, the phenomenon of conversion between various types of human settlements suitability, especially between geographically adjacent types, was quite obvious in Keriya Oasis. Within the oasis, the various types were relatively stable, while on the periphery of the oasis, the conversion extent between various types were comparatively large. Ranking of the correlation between the indicators and the human settlements environment index is distance from the market > distance from water source > land cover index > GDP > temperature > precipitation > relief degree of land surface. The moderately suitable area and the highly suitable area have a high degree of suitability for various indicators, which are mainly distributed in the central part of the oasis, close to the market as well as the traffic lines, and are ideal places for human settlement. The unsuitable area and the critical suitable area are mainly distributed in the desert and ecotone on the periphery of the oasis. These areas are strictly restricted by the conditions of various indicators and are not suitable for human settlement. The low suitable area are mainly distributed in the grassland area on the periphery of the moderately suitable area, which is restricted by the conditions of various indicators. The living conditions of this area are relatively poor and human settlement is subject to certain restrictions.

Key words: human settlements environment index, human settlements suitability, spatial-temporal evolution, dynamic evaluation, Keriya Oasis, Xinjiang

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