Table 2 GIS spatial analysis tools for researching Tibetan Buddhism PSMS
Method name | Basic principle | Application scenario | Usage in this study | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Average Nearest Neighbor | Calculates the average distance from each spatial feature to its nearest neighbor | Spatial distribution pattern analysis | Used to identify spatial clustering patterns of monasteries in the Hehuang region, considering all monasteries, monasteries from different sects, and monasteries within different PSMS | |
Kernel Density Estimate | Estimates the distribution density of a feature in space | Hotspot identification, resource distribution studies | Utilized to explore spatial clustering areas from both a holistic perspective and within different sects. By calculating monastery density within each geographic grid unit, density heatmaps are generated to visually showcase areas of monastery concentration, sparsity, as well as potential diffusion or clustering patterns | |
Aggregation Centers and Deviations | Describes the distribution direction and range of spatial data | Spatial distribution characteristic analysis | Utilized to investigate the spatial centers of PSMS and their spatial distribution orientations, thereby providing spatial quantification data support for the influence centers and directions of these systems | |
Neighborhood Analysis | Analyzes other features in the vicinity of a specific spatial feature | Proximity analysis, spatial relationship studies | Used to verify the coincidence and correlation between the mean centers identified in the above steps and the principal monasteries of their respective PSMS. Through nearest neighbor analysis, the closest principal monastery to the mean center of each PSMS was identified, and the spatial distance between these points was measured | |
Buffer Analysis | Establishes a buffer zone of fixed distance around a geographic entity | Influence range analysis, proximity issues | Used to determine the spatial distribution range of each PSMS under the influence of the principal monasteries. This method quantifies and validates the extent and intensity of influence exerted by each system | |
Univariate chi-square test | Compare the observed frequencies in categorical data to the expected frequencies under a specific hypothesis | Testing observed vs. expected frequencies | Used to examine the correlation between the spatial distribution of PSMS and natural influencing factors such as elevation and hydrology |
