Quantitative analysis of land use structure characteristics at county scale

The purpose of this research was to quantitatively analyze land use structure characteristics at the county scale by selecting related quantitative indices combined with GIS technology, for understanding both quantitative and spatial structure of land use. The quantitative analysis was carried out by using the cadastre data in 2002 and the land use map of 1︰50000 scales in 2000 in Hanshan County, Anhui Province. The results show that quantitative analysis can agree with the practial of land use of Hanshan County. The selected indices can revealed well the basic characteristics of land use structure by making full use of their advantages respectively, especially the Gibbs-Martin index, Centralization index, Lorenz curve and Weaver-Thomas index. Further, it indicates that quantitative analysis of land use structure characteristics is feasible. It is key to correctly select related quantitative indices, including selection of quantitative indices and optimal combination. The main features of land use structure in the county can be generalized as: regional land combination type comprises arable land, forest land, unused land and water area, both arable land and forest land patches are landscape matrix, land use degree is not high and agricultural land is predominant. The topography and geomorphology pattern provides a natural foundation of land use structure in the county and there is a positive correlation to between GDP per unit area of land, population density and land use degree and location advantage of land for buildings. Demonstration analysis shows that this quantitative method can provide some references for analyzing land use structure characteristics at county scale, especially in similar regions.