Quantifying the spatial differentiation mechanism of land use degree

Abstract

The land use degree reflects the land use due to natural factors and human activities, and thus, its spatial differentiation analysis and the study of factors influencing it is of great importance. Although the mechanisms by which changes in factors affect land use have been extensively studied, the impact of factor variations on spatial differentiation of land use degree remains poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, we applied geographical detector, a new tool of spatial statistics, and used spatial autocorrelation and GIS spatial analyses to study the interactive effects of factors on land use degree and their changes in Sichuan, western China and identified the most appropriate characteristics and scope of factors. The land use degree showed an increasing trend. The geographical differentiation of land use was significant, with a high land use degree in the Chengdu Plain and its surrounding areas in the east, a low land use degree in the plateau area of western Sichuan and a significant aggregated distribution. Topographic relief, elevation, annual average temperature, geomorphic type, ≥10°C accumulated temperature, and other factors provided a good explanation for the variability in the land use degree. There were interactive effects of factors that influenced the land use degree. The synergistic effects of factors exhibited mutual and non-linear enhancement relationships, and the interaction of the factors enhanced the influence of individual factors. The most appropriate characteristics and scope of the main factors revealed by our study will contribute to a better understanding of the influences of factors on the changes in land use and their driving mechanisms.