A network-based approach for landscape integration of traditional settlements: A case study in the Wuling Mountain area, southwestern China

A trans-regional landscape network of traditional settlements (LNTS) can be used to integrate scattered landscapes and ensure the unified protection of natural and cultural landscapes. The LNTS is superior to traditional settlement protection in local areas, which is not conducive to maintaining the integrity and order of traditional settlement landscapes at the regional level. The main purpose of this research was to construct the LNTS, and three main steps were involved: the selection of the traditional settlements, the restoration of the connectivity of cultural routes, and the identification of the landscape areas. The landscape areas were identified based on the spatial coupling of the landscape character areas and the core areas of traditional settlement cultural diffusion. The landscape character areas were determined based on the identification of landscape characteristics, while the core areas of traditional settlement cultural diffusion were calculated by the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model. The LNTS could support the overall protection of the traditional settlement landscapes, enhance the cultural, ecological, tourism and educational values, and promote the cross-regional coordination and cooperation among different management and protection departments. Finally, the LNTS was conducive to protecting the virtuous cycle of traditional settlement protection and regional sustainable development.