Spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of China’s important agricultural heritage systems

Abstract Agricultural heritage systems, a paradigm of harmonious symbiosis between humans and the natural environment, contain rich biodiversity and embody distinctive cultural values and historical significance. Macro-level spatial analysis is essential to understand agricultural heritage systems. This study is based on 188 China’s Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (CIAHS) (2013–2023), utilizing spatial analysis methods such as the nearest neighbor index, standard deviational ellipse, kernel density analysis, and Geodetector to examine the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of CIAHS. The results show an uneven distribution of CIAHS, characterized by significant regional discrepancies and an overall clustered spatial pattern. This pattern can be attributed to the combined effects of natural environmental factors (e.g., temperature, precipitation, topography, and water resources) and human environmental factors (e.g., economy, population, transportation, government response, and residents’ attention), which interact synergistically. Among these factors, government response, temperature, and residents’ attention play relatively greater roles in shaping the overall pattern. The study of the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of CIAHS will enhance the understanding of the geographical evolution and regional variations of these resources, thus providing a scientific basis for their preservation and sustainable development.