Dynamics of Rural Settlement Patterns in the Yellow River Delta in Response to River Diversion and Avulsion Since 1855

To explore the unique human-water interaction patterns in the Yellow River Delta since 1855, based on historical river channel data and historical village data, the patterns of villages in the Yellow River Delta and their responses to river channels were analysed. The number of new villages in the Yellow River Delta showed an ‘inverted V’-shaped curve after 1855, and the cumulative number of villages showed an ‘S’-shaped curve. The pattern change of villages was influenced by the change in the river system, which expanded to the northwest and southeast directions with the old Tiemenguan River Course as the axis. During this period, differences in riverbed morphology and fluvial areas, the natural evolution of soil in the river delta, and even the guidance of official policies were the key controls of the developing settlement pattern in the delta. Flooding often leads to the formation of new river channels and the abandonment and silting of old river channels. For the dried-up old courses and former flood basin, because the Yellow River sediment has the effect of improving soil structure and fertilizing land, the soil in these areas becomes suitable for farming and settlement. For the active new course, the freshwater from the river can replenish the groundwater and reduce the degree of soil salinization in the surrounding area, thus attracting people to settle. In general, although the Yellow River causes harm from a course change, it also benefits from silted land.