Surface modelling of human population distribution in China

On the basis of introducing major data layers corresponding to net primary productivity (NPP), elevation, city distribution and transport infrastructure distribution of China, surface modelling of population distribution (SMPD) is conducted by means of grid generation method. A search radius of 200 km is defined in the process of generating each grid cell. SMPD not only pays attention to the situation of relative elements at the site of generating grid cell itself but also calculates contributions of other grid cells by searching the surrounding environment of the generating grid cell. Human population distribution trend since 1930 in China is analysed. The results show that human population distribution in China has a slanting trend from the eastern region to the western and middle regions of China during the period from 1930 to 2000. Two scenarios in 2015 are developed under two kinds of assumptions. Both scenarios show that the trends of population floating from the western and middle regions to the eastern region of China are very outstanding with urbanization and transport development. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved