A Study on the Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Rural Settlements in the Miao Ethnic Region of Southeastern Guizhou
This study employs satellite imagery,Digital Elevation Model(DEM)data with a 30-meter resolution,and national administrative vector data to investigate rural settlements in the Miao ethnic re-gion of southeastern Guizhou using GIS spatial analysis methods.The results indicate that rural settle-ments in this region are characterized by overall dispersion with localized clustering,and the spatial scale of these settlements is relatively small.The distribution of settlement patches influenced by eleva-tion follows an inverted"U"shape,with notable spatial agglomeration at elevations ranging from 700 to 1200 meters.Under the influence of slope,the settlement patches exhibit an inverted"V"shape distribution,primarily concentrating in areas with slopes between 8 and 21 degrees.Settlements are distributed along rivers and roads,and due to topographical constraints,the number of settlements peaks within 2 kilometers of these watercourses and thoroughfares.The findings of this study are expec-ted to provide valuable reference material for integrated urban-rural development and rural revitaliza-tion in the region.