Abstract: This paper aims to identify the landscape characteristics and distribution rules of Dehang Scenic Spot in Hunan Province. By using the aerial map and field survey results, the landscape was classified into different types according to the principle of comprehensiveness, dominant factors and hierarchy. Human disturbance intensity and habitat were used as indicators. The results showed that: (1) The landscape of Dehang Scenic Spot could be divided into 4 landscape classes of 16 landscape types. The natural landscape class contained the most landscape types and distributed widely in the Dehang Scenic Spot, with high plant diversity. The semi-natural class and semi-artificial landscape class were under the intense human disturbance and had low plant diversity, but they had too much relativity with human life. The artificial landscape class mostly presented the regular spatial layout. The Miao nationality wooden architecture was dominant in this class, which embodied the unique national culture of this region. (2) Taking the natural landscape of sun-facing soil slope as the matrix, the landscape types in Dehang Scenic Spot gradually decreased with the widening of the terrain from north to south. Among them, Dehangcun Scenic Area, Donghe Scenic Area and Qiabihe Scenic Area had the most abundant landscape types, but the landscape characteristics of them were quite different. Based on the landscape characteristics and distribution rules of Dehang Scenic Spot, the suggestions were put forward in order to provide a scientific basis for the effective protection and rational use of landscape resources and set the foundation for the study of landscape ecology and the relationship between landscape diversity and plant diversity in this area. Besides, we also hope that this article could provide a new idea and reference case for the selection of classification indicator in the small and medium-scale landscape.

Key words: landscape ecology, landscape classification, habitat, Dehang