Regional Features and Spatial Distribution of Fifty-Eight Ethnic Groups in Southwest China

Yuan Shen,Siyuan Li,Tianshu Yu,Danyin Wang,Jiahui Wu,Tao Li

doi:10.3390/su132413570

Abstract

Eco-environmental variability was the basis of ethnic diversity with a persistent influence on the regional development. The unique geographic conditions and multi-ethnic characteristics in southwest China were valuable for exploring sustainable development of ethnic regions. In this study, the regional features of distribution areas of ethnic groups in southwest China were analysed, and it was found that average altitude, slope, water coverage and water form ratio of each ethnic group differed apparently. Additionally, regional features of southern minorities were relatively stable, while those of northern minorities changed evidently from 1990 to 2010. Furthermore, taking the spatial coordinates and regional features as parameters, fifty-eight ethnic groups were clustered into six categories via spatial cluster analysis. Moreover, based on the county-level population data, the ethnic similarities in southwest China were identified by correlation analysis, and the results were in accordance with those of spatial cluster analysis but more detailed. In addition, the eco-environmental adaptability of various ethnic groups was discussed in terms of living and production as well as regional sustainable development. This research was of referential meaning for population settlement, natural resources utilization and biodiversity conservation in multi-ethnic regions.

Highlights

Ecological environment has great importance in understanding the diverse regional development processes, which could be observed via international cultural and economic exchanges [1,2] but could be embodied by regional competition and cooperation within countries [3,4]
We aimed to provide a method for identifying regional features and spatial distribution based on ethnic groups at a large spatial–temporal scale
The regional features of distribution areas of various ethnic groups in southwest China were distinct, and the detailed values could be found at Table S1 online

Summary

Introduction

Ecological environment has great importance in understanding the diverse regional development processes, which could be observed via international cultural and economic exchanges [1,2] but could be embodied by regional competition and cooperation within countries [3,4]. Because the social and economic disparities caused by natural variability have existed for a long time, the historical process and geographical pattern persisted affecting the population distribution. This persistence was performed as the phenomenon that the regional ecological environment usually constrained human migration, especially those who tried to change themselves but found it difficult to overcome challenges in their new environment [7].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion