Spatio-temporal distribution of traditional rural settlements in the Tarim Basin under the influence of “Hydrology-Humanities”

The study of the spatio-temporal distribution of traditional rural settlements in the Tarim Basin is of significant importance for their protection and inheritance. Based on a sample of 672 settlements, this paper utilizes GIS spatial analysis and historical document verification to reveal the following findings: (1) The spatial distribution presents a “ring-cluster-beaded” pattern. The Nearest Neighbor Index (R = 0.44614) and the Unevenness Index (S = 0.427) indicate that the settlements are highly clustered and unevenly distributed, forming five dense aggregation zones categorized as “two primary and three secondary” clusters. (2)Historical evolution shows that settlements have migrated from mountain valleys to plains and oases, closely coupled with the process of land reclamation and development. (3) In terms of hydrological regulation, both groundwater and surface water directly influence settlement distribution, while atmospheric precipitation (q = 0.0018) indirectly impacts settlement distribution through the water cycle. (4) The human-driven process is characterized by productivity and policies as the main driving forces behind settlement evolution, with the political environment serving as an unstable factor influencing settlement distribution. Finally, the study proposes a gradient protection strategy for traditional rural settlements, providing theoretical support for the protection and development of these settlements in the Tarim Basin.