Relationship between topographic factor and land use—A case study of Zhuanyaogou watershed

GIS and SPSS were used to quantitatively analyze the relationships between land use type and topographic factors for 2003 and 2008. The succession pattern and driving factors of land use were also explored on 10 m×10 m grid-base for Zhuanyaogou watershed in the hilly region of the Loess Plateau of China. The study shows that land elevation, slope gradient and aspect significantly influence the spatial distribution of land use. The average elevation, slope gradient and aspect of the watershed are respectively 1 069 m, 19.24° and 279° (west). Aspect-distribution map from average sin(aspect) and cos(aspect) of different land use types clearly shows the distribution characteristics of land use. Farmlands and barren-hills form about 80% of the study area, and their distribution change controls the topographic pattern of land use distribution in the watershed. Farmlands are mainly located in the upper slope and tops of the loess mountain ridges with low slope gradients and high elevations. While farmland area is significantly negative correlated with slope gradient, it is significantly positive correlated with elevation. Barren hills exhibit the opposite trend. The results fully reflect the topographic characteristics of land use in the study area. Implementation of eco-construction projects could induce significant changes in the spatial distribution of land use in the short-run.