Research on the landscape pattern of slopes with different gradients and directions in the area of Three Gorges Area based on 3S—A case study from Wuxi County

Supported by GIS, the actuality and changes of landscape patterns of slopes with different grades and directions in Wuxi County, which is located in Three Gorges Area, were analyzed by using landscape pattern indexes including the proportion of area to the landscape, fractal dimension of patches, landscape diversity index, patch density, and by using the indexes of land use dynamic. It is concluded that the landscape patterns of various landscape types are different in the slopes with the same gradient and direction. The same landscape pattern changes with the variations of slope gradient and direction. Slope gradient and slope direction have important impacts on the actuality and changes of landscape pattern in Wuxi County. The impacts of the steep slope are more intense than that of the slow slope, and shining slope is more intense than shading slope.