Response of Karst Plateau Rocky Desertification Evolution to Rural Settlement Development

Based on Landsat imagery and bivariate spatial autocorrelation analysis, this study explores the spatiotemporal evolution of rocky desertification, the spatial pattern of rural settlement expansion, and their spatial correlation in Changhu Town and Xijiekou Town. The results show that from 1985 to 2022, the rocky desertification area decreased, but the proportion of extreme and severe rocky desertification increased, with a spatial distribution characterized by "heavier in the west and north, lighter in the east and south." Rural settlement expansion was slow overall, with significant regional disparities leading to uneven development. The relationship between settlement expansion and rocky desertification (area growth and transformation degree) shifted from negative to positive correlation over time, with uncoordinated areas expanding and clustering near transportation routes. Settlement expansion near transportation lines may exacerbate rocky desertification. Therefore, comprehensive measures are needed to balance settlement development and ecological protection for sustainable regional development.