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The changes of densities and patterns of roads and rural buildings: a case study on Dongzhi Yuan of the Loess Plateau, China

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Abstract

Roads and buildings are considered as primary causes of rural landscape changes. In this study, linear regression models were used to analyze the dynamic influences of environmental factors and variables on roads and rural buildings from 1979 to 2005 in Dongzhi Yuan (tableland) of the Loess Plateau, China. The relationship between roads and rural buildings and their effects on Dongzhi Yuan are discussed also. The results showed that three environmental factors (topography, land cover, and development level) explained roads better than rural buildings referring densities and patterns. The environmental variables significantly related to roads have decreased, whereas those related to rural buildings have increased over time. Among these significant variables, percent of farmland mostly determined the densities and patterns of both roads and rural buildings. There was significant correlation between roads and rural buildings in terms of density and pattern. In addition, roads and rural buildings have increased greatly in gully areas of this region. Therefore, more attention should be paid to planning of roads and rural buildings in Dongzhi Yuan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research for Sustainable Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 26th Yinhai Road, Laishan District, Yantai, 264003, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaoli Bi, Hui Wang & Jianping Ge

  2. National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, People’s Republic of China

    Hui Wang

  3. College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China

    Jianping Ge

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  1. Xiaoli Bi
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  2. Hui Wang
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Correspondence to Xiaoli Bi.

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Bi, X., Wang, H. & Ge, J. The changes of densities and patterns of roads and rural buildings: a case study on Dongzhi Yuan of the Loess Plateau, China. Environ Monit Assess 164, 549–560 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-0912-y

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