Distribution patterns and environmental influences on China's cultural heritage: a climate and geographical analysis

This study analyzes the distribution characteristics and environmental factors affecting key cultural heritage sites in China. The results reveal that cultural heritage is widely distributed across the country, with high-density clusters in areas such as Shaanxi, Hebei, Henan, and the Yangtze River Delta, while regions like the northern Tibetan Plateau exhibit lower densities due to harsh environmental conditions. The distribution of different heritage types, including ancient buildings, ruins, and tombs, reflects regional cultural characteristics. Geographical location, climate conditions, and human activity significantly influence heritage distribution. The majority of cultural heritage is concentrated within the latitudes 25°–40° N and longitudes 105°–120° E, with higher densities found in low-altitude regions. At the national scale, contemporary socio-economic indicators such as population density and GDP show a negative association with heritage site density, reflecting modern urbanization pressures, although historically populous regions were major centers of heritage formation. On the other hand, areas with rich historical and cultural backgrounds benefit from human activity in terms of preservation. Warm and humid climates (annual temperature 10–20 °C, rainfall 500–1000 mm) contribute to better preservation of heritage, particularly for architectural and organic material-based sites. Using Gaussian mixture models and random forest analysis, nine regional heritage clusters with distinct environmental characteristics were identified. These include the Huabei Plain, characterized by high seasonal precipitation, and the Loess Plateau, with a high heritage density linked to historical and geographical factors. High-altitude areas, especially in the northwest and Tibet, exhibit a lower heritage density due to climate constraints. Temperature extremes (below −20 °C in winter and above 40 °C in summer) limit cultural heritage distribution, while moderate temperature fluctuations support greater preservation. Furthermore, climate risk assessments indicate that certain regions face significant threats to heritage due to hydrological, corrosion, and drought risks. Eastern China, particularly the lower Yangtze River, is highly vulnerable to water erosion, while the southwestern region faces high corrosion and biological degradation risks. Drought risks are prominent in northern and western areas, especially affecting underground heritage sites. The study provides targeted protection strategies based on regional climate characteristics, offering insights for heritage conservation in the context of climate change.