A study on the impact of cultural diversity on biodiversity gradient changes in heritage sites – a case study of Hubei Province

Abstract Context Under territorial spatial planning, reasonable formulation of cultural heritage protection limits and control zoning is a crucial factor in constructing a security pattern for the cultural heritage system. However, the absence of consistent criteria for the method of conserving cultural assets jeopardizes the conservation of cultural heritage and its surroundings. Under territorial spatial planning, reasonable formulation of cultural heritage protection limits and control zoning is a crucial factor in constructing a security pattern for the cultural heritage system. However, the absence of consistent criteria for the method of conserving cultural assets jeopardizes the conservation of cultural heritage and its surroundings. Objectives The study of biocultural diversity investigates the mechanism of action between biodiversity and cultural diversity from an integrated perspective, analyzes the areas of biodiversity that change under the influence of various types of culture, and offers suggestions for the development of cultural heritage conservation zoning. Methods In the province of Hubei, biodiversity was represented by habitat quality and overlaid with a buffer zone within 15 kilometers of five distinct types of cultural heritage in order to determine individual and average biodiversity values for distinct types of cultural heritage under distinct buffer layers. The data were finally displayed using the R package and visualization software in order to determine the gradient and peak and valley values of the influence of various forms of cultural assets on biodiversity. Results The gradient changes of biodiversity in heritage sites were measured through the habitat quality of different cultural types of heritage sites in Hubei province, and it was discovered that: (1) there is a synergistic relationship between traditional villages, scenic spots, and temples and regional biodiversity, and there are peaks and valleys in the influence gradient; (2) the overall influence of cultural diversity on the gradient changes of biodiversity in heritage sites demonstrates peaks and valleys; and (3) the overall influence of cultural diversity on the gradient changes of biodiversity in heritage sites demonstrates Conclusions To promote the synergistic development of biocultural diversity in cultural heritage sites, different types should account for their unique influencing factors in the process of future cultural heritage protection and formulate their protection boundaries and control zoning in conjunction with the changing characteristics of biocultural diversity gradients.