Spatial distribution patterns of rural settlements in the multi-ethnic gathering areas, southwest China: ethnic inter-embeddedness perspective

This study examines the distribution patterns of rural settlements from a new perspective of ethnic inter-embeddedness. The Shannon-Wiener Index (SWI) and Moran's I methods are employed to identify the spatial distribution characteristics of rural settlements in a typical multi-ethnic gathering area. The study results are as follows: Firstly, the distribution patterns of rural settlements of different ethnic groups exhibit significant heterogeneity and remarkable differences in ethnicity and region. Each ethnic group has its core settlement areas in geography. Secondly, the results of Moran's I represent clustering characteristics and gradient variations of spatial distribution. All ethnic groups exhibit significant aggregation characteristics except for Hui. The Global Moran's I of Han, Yi, Tibetan, Mongolian, Qiang, and Hui ethnic groups are 0.771, 0.726, 0.646, 0.225, 0.123, and 0.037, respectively. Thirdly, the SWI results are classified into five categories: very high, high, medium, low, and very low, accounting for 23.53%, 23.53%, 19.60%, 15.69%, and 17.65%, respectively. Finally, the study find a negative correlation between the equilibrium of the minority population and the degree of inter-embeddedness of rural settlements. The study provides significant implications for promoting ethnic integration and connection, as well as optimizing the spatial patterns of rural settlements in multi-ethnic gathering areas.