Rural Settlement Optimization for Ecologically Sensitive Area Evaluations Based on Geo-Proximity and the Soil–Water Conservation Capacity

Ruiyi Lou and Dongyan Wang ()
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Ruiyi Lou: College of Earth Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China
Dongyan Wang: College of Earth Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: Rural communities in ecologically sensitive areas are confronted with environmental challenges and land waste. The hollowing out of villages because of the steady loss of young people has brought these problems to the fore. Research on the remediation of rural settlements in ecologically sensitive regions is scarce. This paper focuses on Tong Yu County, a region located in the agricultural and pastoral intertwined zones of western Jilin, which is known for its ecological sensitivity. On the basis of the results of the geographical assessment of the area via hierarchical analysis (AHP method) and soil and water conservation capacity evaluation via the revised universal soil loss equation model (RUSLE) and the net primary production quantitative index model (NPP model), we propose a rural development program that divides the study area into three different zones with different development orientations, namely, potential enhancement, agglomeration development, and expansion restrictions. Moreover, we conceived a rural settlement remediation scheme using the kernel density estimation method and provided remediation strategies for rural settlements of various density levels. The rural settlement development program and the rural settlement remediation scheme led to the optimization of rural settlements. Notably, with increasing kernel density, the area of rural settlements tends to increase and then decrease. Our research helps save 5.059 km 2 of land resources in the study area and offers guidance for improving the rural settlement layout in Tong Yu County.

Keywords: kernel density estimation; RUSLE model; NPP model; AHP method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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