Abstract:

 The integration and optimization of protected areas is an essential part of establishing a protected area system dominated by national parks. Knowledge of the spatial distribution and relationships for protected areas is the foundation of the integration and optimization of protected areas. Here, we used geographic concentration index, imbalance index, nearest neighbor index, and kernel density estimation to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the spatial distribution pattern and overlapping characteristics of 81 protected areas affiliated to five categories in Beijing. The results showed that protected areas and overlapping protected areas in Beijing are distributed in an aggregation manner, while the overlapping protected areas are more agglomerate. Yanqing District, Fangshan District, Mentougou District and Miyun District have the largest numbers of protected areas and overlapping protected areas, with their cumulative contribution being over 70%. In terms of the types of overlapping protected areas, the overlap between nature reserves and scenic spots is the most common. Our results described the overlapping characteristics of Beijing’s protected areas and provided a scientific reference for the integration and optimization of protected areas in Beijing.

Key words: protected area, nature park, nature reserve, cross overlapping, spatial distribution.