Population Distribution and Its Spatial Relationship with Terrain Elements in Lancang-Mekong River Basin

Abstract

Based on the STRM DEM( 90 m × 90 m) and 1km × 1km population density raster data,using GIS spatial analyst and mathematical statistics method,this paper analyzed the population distribution in Lancang-Mekong River Basin,quantified the relationship between population and topographical parameters,namely elevation, slope,aspect and relief degree of land surface( RDLS). The results show that: 1. The population distribution pattern of Lancang-Mekong basin is dense in southern areas and sparse in the northern areas. The most intensive area of population distribution is in the southern of the Mekong Delta,while Zaduo County in the source has large areas with no population; 2. The population density of Lancang-Mekong basin has experienced a variation process of rising slowly after dropping sharply and then declining again until die out with the elevations moving from low to high. The total population showed an inverted exponential growth with altitudes; 3. 80% population in Lancang-Mekong basin concentrated in the flat areas with slope gradient less than 2. When slope gradient reaches 38t,the population cumulative curve tends to be stable; 4. The distribution of population is balanced in each slope aspect of Lancang-Mekong basin,which indicates that slope aspect has no dominate influence on population distribution; 5. The population density and RDLS has an inverted exponential relationship in Lancang-Mekong basin. RDLS has an relatively significant influence on population distribution,the majority of population in the basin is located in regions with low relief degree of land surface.