Analysis of Spatiotemporal Evolution of Rural Settlements and Influencing Factors in Chuzhou City of Anhui Province

This study focused on Chuzhou City, Anhui Province, examining the spatiotemporal evolution and functional mechanism of rural settlements from 2005 to 2020. It employed landscape pattern index, nuclear density estimation analysis, spatial hot spot detection, and buffer zone analysis to analyze the study area.The results showed that, the number of patches in rural settlements in Chuzhou increased, the overall area expanded significantly, patch aggregation increased, landscape fragmentation decreased. Spatial distribution of rural settlements showed higher density in eastern and western regions, and lower density in central and southern regions; The spatial pattern of rural residential cluster in Chuzhou had not changed significantly in the past 15 years, and there were significant differences among districts and counties, especially in local areas; The distribution pattern of rural settlements in Chuzhou was affected by both natural and social factors, showing the orientation of low altitude and low slope. Rivers, roads and organic towns had a strong directional effect on the settlements.