To investigate the migration trajectory of the center of gravity of rural settlements in China from 2000 to 2018 and its impact on the intensive utilization of rural settlements and the spatial pattern of cultivated land occupation, the methods of center of gravity model and standard deviation ellipse model were employed. The results showed that from 2000 to 2018, the center of gravity of Chinese rural settlements migrated 17545.67 meters to the northwest, including 8843.191 meters to the west and 15154.162 meters to the north. During the four periods of 2000–2005, 2005–2010, 2010–2015, and 2015–2018, the center of gravity of rural settlements in China followed a trajectory of “southwest-southeast-northwest-northwest” with migration speeds of 894.326, 854.994, 1368.894 and 8108.936 m/a, respectively. Before 2010, the center of gravity primarily migrated southward at a relative slow pace, while after 2010, it migrated rapidly towards the northwest. From 2000 to 2018, the spatial distribution range of rural settlements in China showed a trend of initial contraction followed by expansion. Specifically, the distribution range decreased from 2000 to 2015 and expanded after 2015. Rural settlements exhibited a clustering pattern in the main trend direction (north-south) and a dispersing pattern in the east-west direction. The study shows that the utilization of rural settlements in northern China is more extensive, especially in northern, northeastern and eastern China, where the per capita area and growth rate of rural settlements are faster, the degree of intensive utilization is lower. The net occupation of arable land by rural settlements is the highest in the country, making it the region with the most serious occupation of arable land. The central-southern and southwestern regions are more intensive. The results of the study can provide a scientific basis for understanding the dynamics of the evolution of rural settlements and guiding the adjustment of the spatial layout of rural settlements.

rural settlements, center of gravity, migration, cropland protection, China

运用重心模型和标准差椭圆法, 研究2000—2018年中国农村居民点重心迁移轨迹及对农村居民点集约利用和耕地被占用空间格局的影响。结果表明, 2000—2018年中国农村居民点重心向西北迁移17545.67 m, 其中向西迁移8843.191 m, 向北迁移15154.162 m。2000—2005年、2005—2010年、2010—2015年和2015—2018年4个阶段, 中国农村居民点重心迁移沿着“西南–东南–西北–西北”的轨迹, 迁移速度分别为894.326, 854.994, 1368.894和8108.936 m/a。2010年之前农村居民点重心主要向南迁移, 移动速度较慢, 2010年之后转向西北方向迁移, 移动速度迅速上升。2000—2018年, 中国农村居民点空间分布范围先缩小后扩张, 其中2000—2015年分布范围缩小, 2015年以后分布范围扩张, 农村居民点在主趋势方向(南北)呈现集聚特征, 在东西方向呈现离散特征。研究结果表明, 中国北方农村居民点的利用较为粗放, 尤其是华北、东北和华东地区, 人均农村居民点面积及增长率较快, 集约利用程度低, 农村居民点净占用耕地在全国的占比也最高, 成为耕地占用最严重的地区; 中南和西南地区农村居民点的利用较为集约。研究结果可为理解农村居民点的演变动态以及指导农村居民点空间布局的调整提供科学依据。

农村居民点, 重心, 迁移, 耕地保护, 中国