ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. For. Glob. Change

Sec. People and Forests

Volume 8 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/ffgc.2025.1553808

This article is part of the Research TopicLandscape management can promote socioecological benefits and leverage environmental marketsView all 6 articles

Spatial-temporal Distribution Characteristics, Species Selection, and Influencing Factors of Cherry Blossom Scenic Spots in China

Provisionally accepted
  • 1School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
  • 2School of Design, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
  • 3Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Cherry blossom scenic spots attract numerous tourists during peak flowering seasons, significantly contributing to outdoor recreation, public health, and tourism development. Existing research has primarily focused on species classification, flowering period regulation, and localized landscape design. However, systematic studies examining these scenic spots' temporal and spatial patterns remain scarce, hindering effective planning across varying latitudes and urban contexts. This study aims to fill this research gap by conducting spatiotemporal distribution analysis using ArcGIS, in conjunction with the geographical detector and sentiment perception measurement methods. Key findings from the analysis of 253 cherry blossom scenic spots in China include: 1) These spots are found in all provincial-level regions except Qinghai and Hainan, with Hubei Province having the highest concentration. The distribution has shifted from a discrete pattern to a clustering trend in high-density areas of North, East, and Central China, particularly Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan. 2) Main applications include parks, campuses, mountains, temples, and roadways, predominantly located in parks. 3) Variations in cherry blossom species and flowering periods are notable across regions, with diverse species in North, East, and Central China. 4) Economic status primarily influences distribution, alongside natural geographic and demographic factors, whose interactions enhance explanatory power. 5) The ten most reviewed spots show positive visitor perceptions, with distinct emotional responses by region. 6) The layout and evolution of these spots result from both natural and socio-cultural influences. These findings support informed planning and development strategies for cherry blossom scenic spots in China.

Keywords: Cherry blossom scenic spots, Spatial-temporal distribution, spatial analysis, ArcGIS, Geographical detector, Sentiment perception measurement

Received: 16 Jan 2025; Accepted: 05 May 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Peng, Li, Zhang, Han, Sun and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Chunyan Zhang, School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

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