An integrated approach to modelling the interaction of the natural landscape and the karez water system in Turpan (Xinjiang, P.R.C.)

Abstract

Abstract The research in this paper focusses on examining the link between the karez and their location in the physical landscape. The landscape can be divided into specific classes dependent on their natural characteristics, such as slope, drainage, and soil properties. These classes are compared to the known karez locations, settlement, and vegetation throughout time using Corona KH4B-, Landsat 8-, and Pleiades 1-imagery. It is shown that the karez are indeed restricted to certain landscape types, nonetheless, variety is still possible within one site location. When including settlement patterns, they are heavily influenced by the presence of karez and/or surface water. The connection between the landscape classes, the karez, and the settlements is evident but interestingly some aspects cannot be explained fully by the physical surroundings only. This leads to believe that other agents must also be present of socio-economical, mental, or historical nature.