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Regional Features and Spatial Distribution of Fifty-Eight Ethnic Groups in Southwest China

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  • Yuan Shen

    (Suzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Taihu Lake Region of Jiangsu, Suzhou 215105, China
    National Agricultural Experiment Station for Soil Quality, Xiangcheng, Suzhou 215155, China)

  • Danyin Wang

    (China Population and Development Research Center, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Jiahui Wu

    (State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Tianshu Yu

    (State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China)

  • Tao Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Siyuan Li

    (Zhejiang Development & Planning Institute, Hangzhou 310030, China)

Abstract

Eco-environmental variability was the basis of ethnic diversity with a persistent influence on the regional development. The unique geographic conditions and multi-ethnic characteristics in southwest China were valuable for exploring sustainable development of ethnic regions. In this study, the regional features of distribution areas of ethnic groups in southwest China were analysed, and it was found that average altitude, slope, water coverage and water form ratio of each ethnic group differed apparently. Additionally, regional features of southern minorities were relatively stable, while those of northern minorities changed evidently from 1990 to 2010. Furthermore, taking the spatial coordinates and regional features as parameters, fifty-eight ethnic groups were clustered into six categories via spatial cluster analysis. Moreover, based on the county-level population data, the ethnic similarities in southwest China were identified by correlation analysis, and the results were in accordance with those of spatial cluster analysis but more detailed. In addition, the eco-environmental adaptability of various ethnic groups was discussed in terms of living and production as well as regional sustainable development. This research was of referential meaning for population settlement, natural resources utilization and biodiversity conservation in multi-ethnic regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan Shen & Danyin Wang & Jiahui Wu & Tianshu Yu & Tao Li & Siyuan Li, 2021. "Regional Features and Spatial Distribution of Fifty-Eight Ethnic Groups in Southwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13570-:d:697637
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhi Zhang & Zhiwei Wan & Shan Xu & Hong Wu & Lingyue Liu & Zhao Chen & Ji Zeng, 2023. "Environmental Adaptation in the Process of Human-Land Relationship in Southeast China’s Ethnic Minority Areas and Its Significance on Sustainable Development," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, February.

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