Acta Geographica Sinica ›› 2013, Vol. 68 ›› Issue (11): 1549-1558.doi: 10.11821/dlxb201311010

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Historical evolution of tidal flat reclamation in the Jiangsu coastal areas

ZHANG Xiaoxiang1, YAN Changqing2, XU Pan1, DAI Yuxuan1, YAN Wangbo1, DING Xianrong1,3, ZHU Chenxi2, MEI Dandan1   

  1. 1. Institute of Geographical Information Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China;
    2. Institute of Land Survey Planning, Nanjing 210024, China;
    3. College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
  • Received:2013-04-03 Revised:2013-07-08 Online:2013-11-20 Published:2013-11-20
  • Supported by:
    Key Projects in the National Science & Technology Pillar Program, No.2012BAC07B01; No.2012BAB03B01; Public Science and Technology Research Funds Projects of Ocean, No.201005006-3

Abstract: The large-scale tidal flats have been reclaimed in the Jiangsu coastal areas during the last century. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and analyze the historical evolution of Jiangsu coastal reclamation. A variety of historical maps, local chronicles and remote sensing data are collected and collated since the late Qing Dynasty, and statistical analysis and spatial analysis are used to examine the temporal changes over the past century. The results are shown as follows. (1) The 1910s and 1950s are two relatively high-density periods before 1949 and after 1949. (2) The reclamation lands are mostly distributed in Yancheng, accounting for 70% of the total in Jiangsu coastal areas, and they are relatively small in Nantong and Lianyungang. In terms of the reclamation areas, the top five counties are Dafeng, Sheyang, Lianyungang, Xiangshui, and Rudong. (3) Buffer zone analysis shows that the pattern of Jiangsu coastal reclamation is like a mosaic fish-scale shape, and the reclamation lands are mainly used for agriculture, aquaculture, and salt industry, while less are used for industrial purpose and port construction.

Key words: spatial analysis, historical evolution, statistical analysis, tidal flat reclamation, Jiangsu coastal areas