川西高山峡谷区乡村聚落空间格局及其梯度效应OACHSSCD

The high-mountain gorge region of western Sichuan,on the eastern side of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,is one of the world's most prominent topographic gradient zones,with the most ecologically sensitive ecosystems.The systematic quantification and gradient response mechanism of county-level settlement spaces in the high-mountain gorage region of western Sichuan still need to be further explored.This paper used kernel density estimation,average nearest neighbor index(ANN),and spatial autocorrelation analysis to uncover the gradient response mechanisms of rural settlement spatial distribution patterns in Mao County,which served as a represent-ative case study region.The results showed that:① Rural settlements in Mao County had"strong overall clustering,stark density gradi-ents,and clustered differentiation,"with a county-level ANN index of 0.235 and settlements density variations exceeding sevenfold at the township scale.② Natural vertical gradients strongly influenced settlement distribution:61.49％of settlements were situated in low-elevation zones(896～2 068 m),with 77.46％concentrated on gentle slopes(＜25°).South slopes had much more settlements than north slopes,with 61.30％located at mid-slope altitudes to balance catastrophe avoidance and resource availability.③ Cultural horizontal gradients altered settlement clustering patterns:88.96％of settlements were within 387 m of roadways,whereas 84％were close to agriculture(within 446 m).Village-level administrative centers had a gravitational radius of 1 993 m,within which 83.85％of all settlements lied.④ Disaster hazards intensified human-land conflicts,with 61.74％of settlements located in medium-to-high geological danger zones(within 840 m of hazard spots).Based on these findings,this paper proposed settlement optimization strategies centered on"strictly upholding bottom lines,reconstructing systems,enhancing resilience,and stimulating vitality,"which provides a scientific basis for improving settlement resilience and advancing rural revitalization in high-mountain gorge regions.