Evolvement of landscape pattern in upper and middle reaches of Xiangjiang River
湘江流域中上游景观格局及其变化

Based on the landscape maps of the upper and middle reaches of Xiangjiang River in 1980 and 2000,and supported by ArcGIS 9.0 and Fragstats,this paper studied the evolvement of landscape pattern in this region.The results showed that in 2000,paddy field and forestland had smaller areas but more patches,with a higher fragmental degree because of intensive human activities,while dry land and grassland had a decreased number of patches and decreased fragmental degree,compared with those in 1980.The connectedness and dominance of primary patches were lower,with a weaker controllability on the whole landscape.In the upper reaches,a larger area of forestland had been cultivated into dry land,which could aggravate the risk of soil erosion.