Spatial pattern of population-economic pressure in the northern slope pastoral areas of Qilian Mountain

In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution pattern of population-economic pressure in the Qilian Mountain northern slope pastoral area by employing principal component and cluster analyses. The results indicated there were striking regional characteristics in the spatial distribution pattern of population-economic pressure in the research area. The specific performances indicated the following. The western region had advanced economies, high population growth rate, and population economic pressure was small. The population-economic pressure here showed a negative correlation. The eastern region had a poor natural environment. The population-economic pressure here showed a positive correlation, and population economic pressure were large. In the central region, the population-economy pressure indexes showed a negative to positive correlation with the developing economy.