Abstract: By using the population and economic data extracted from the statistical yearbook of 1986-2003 and the data from national GIS database (1∶250 000), an ArcGIS-based spatial population database of five counties in theupper reaches of Min River was built, and the spatial population distributionand its affecting factors were studied by the combination of traditional statistics and GIS analysis. The results showed that the dominant minorities in the study area were Tibetan, Qiang and Han, with Smau Paewation size and thin density of population (0.38 4 million and 16.94 people·km^-2 in 2003, respectively) and low growth rate. The spatial distribution of population tended to imbalance, and the redistribution index declined obviously. In the past 50 years, the center of papulation moved 6.30 km from north to south, indicating that the economy in the south area developed in good status. The spatial distribution of population was mainly affected by the distribution of rivers and roads, elevation, types of LUCC, and economic attraction.

Key words: Nutrient, Nutrient limitation, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, Changjiang River estuary