Spatial analysis of three vegetation types in Xishuangbanna on a road network using the network K-function

摘要

Previous studies have demonstrated the inherent relationships between landscape pattern and road networks. A new technique for analyzing the distribution of points on a network has been developed, called, the network K-function for univariate analysis. Using this method, we analyzed the spatial patterns of three types of vegetations in Xishuangbanna in Yunnan province with different periods, to investigate the effects of road disturbance. Comparing different periods of K curves, we can explore the characteristics of different types of vegetations distributing along the road network. The results of the Kernel and network K-function analyses showed that populations of three types of vegetations were tending to cluster by road networks. The broad-leaved forests were not randomly distributed within road networks in three periods at all distance. In contrast, the coniferous forests is peculiar, with significant small-scale clustering of at distances up to 120 km and significant large-scale repulsion of clusters of populations >120 km. However the number of plantation forests increased and tend to cluster with the road networks.