Page 61 - JCAU-6-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Cultural heritage in monastic settlements

3.4. Methods influences the selection of the minimum patch size.

3.4.1. Selection of landscape indices It is a key indicator of landscape fragmentation and
heterogeneity.
Landscape pattern refers to the spatial relationships (vi). Area-weighted mean patch fractal dimension
between elements, particularly in relation to the size, (AWMPFD)
shape, number, and types of ecosystems (Royal & Mark, AWMPFD is an important indicator of the overall
2006). Landscape patterns are closely related to spatial landscape pattern, also reflecting the impact of

heterogeneity and are highly scale dependent. Due to this human activity. Natural landscapes with minimal
reason, spatial analysis methods and landscape pattern human disturbance typically exhibit higher fractal
indices have been developed to quantitatively assess dimensions, whereas landscapes with significant
and analyze landscape patterns. These indices reflect human impact show lower values.
the interrelationships between landscape structure
and functional processes, providing a foundation for (vii). Aggregation index (AI, %)
guiding the development of landscape patterns (Deng, This index measures the connectivity between
2007). The study of landscape patterns relies on various patches of the same landscape type. Lower values
landscape pattern indices that are selected to reflect indicate a more fragmented landscape.
the fundamental aspects of landscape structure (He & (viii). Interspersion and juxtaposition index (IJI, %)
Zhou, 2008). This index describes the spatial distribution of patches
and is crucial for understanding how ecosystems are
In this study, we conducted analyses at two levels: severely constrained by certain natural conditions.
The overall monastic settlement and the individual Lower values indicate that a patch type is adjacent to
monastic settlement. Based on the study’s scope, the fewer other patch types, indicating less interspersion.
analysis primarily focused on patch-type-level indices (ix). Total landscape area (ha)
and landscape-level indices (Wu & Yu, 2007). The specific This index defines the total area of the landscape,
indices selected include the area of the patches (AREA),
the number of patches (NP), and Shannon’s evenness index setting the upper boundary for the scale of the
(SHEI). The necessary calculations for these indices were analysis.
performed using Fragstats (Zhou, 2018). (x). Landscape shape index (LSI)
An LSI value of 1 indicates a simple landscape shape
3.4.2. Meaning of the landscape index with only one square patch, while higher values result

The following landscape indices are used to quantify from increased edge lengths or complex, irregular
various aspects of landscape structure, composition, and patch shapes.
spatial configuration, providing insights into landscape (xi). SHEI
fragmentation, diversity, and connectivity. A value of 1 indicates a completely homogeneous
landscape, where all patch types occupy equal areas.
(i). NP, pieces A value of 0 means there is no diversity, with one
This index refers to the total NP of a particular patch type dominating. The smaller the value, the
landscape type. more dominant one patch type is; higher values
(ii). Class area (CA, ha) suggest a more homogeneous distribution of patch
The total area of a specific patch type is calculated in ha. types (Yang et al., 2013; Zhang, 2010).
(iii). Patch density (PD, pieces/100 ha)
Patch density expresses the NP per 100 ha, reflecting (xii). Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI)
both the overall landscape heterogeneity and An SHDI value of 0 indicates that there is only one
fragmentation, as well as the degree of fragmentation patch type, implying no diversity. As the SHDI value
of a certain patch type. increases, so does the landscape’s diversity.
(iv). Percent of landscape (xiii). Contagion index (CONTAG, %)
This index represents the proportion of the total area Low values of CONTAG indicate the presence of
occupied by each patch type. A value approaching 0% many small patches, while values close to 100 suggest
indicates a decrease in that patch type, while a value high connectivity among dominant patch types. This
of 100% indicates that the entire landscape consists of index measures the degree of clustering or spread of
only one type of patch, making it dominant. different patch types, with higher values signifying
(v). Mean of patch area (AREA_MN) better connectivity of dominant patch types and lower
This index measures the average patch size. It values indicating a more fragmented with a dense
constrains the range of the image or map and pattern of multiple elements.

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2503