Abstract: Based on the Landsat TM image in 2006 and by using Erdas and ArcGIS software, in combining with the theories of regionalization and settlement geography, the spatial patterns of the habitation areas in the conurbations of central Liaoning Province were studied. In the test habitation areas, small patches occupied a large proportion, with the patches smaller than 1 km2 accounted for 96.38% of all patches. Shenyang and some other conurbations took up the main position in the habitation areas. The habitation areas could be regionalized into east region, Shenyang region, and west region. Shenyang region had the largest average patch area and the highest urbanization; west region had the highest patch density and the densest habitation area; while east region had the smallest average patch area and the lowest patch density, with the development of habitation area being slower than the other two regions. The habitation areas in the three regions were in stochastic distribution, but the reference index (the nearest index) differed obviously among the regions. Centric cities had great effects on the distribution of habitation areas, with the radiation range in the sequence of Shenyang > Anshan > Tieling > Yingkou > Liaoyang > Benxi > Fushun.

Key words: Hydrologic scaling, Scaling