Analysis on spatial correlation between snail density and types of marshland geomorphology in Dongting Lake region of Yueyang City

Objective To discuss the spatial correlation between the classification of marshland geomorphology and snail density in Dongting Lake region of Yueyang city. Methods By using ArcGIS 10.2 Software, the paper classified the marshlands in Dongting Lake region of Yueyang city according to the topographical features, and generated a marshland type grid system consisting of 2 440 hexagons. By using the marshland snail survey data which was collected from 28 schistosomiasis protection and control stations of Yueyang City during 2010-2014, it established the hexagonal grid systems of living snails and infected snails. Processing a spatial correlation analysis between the marshland type grid system and the living snails and infected snails grid systems, the correlation between marshland geomorphology and snail density can be explored. Results The marshland in Dongting Lake region of Yueyang city could be divided into nine types. Among them, the average densities of living snails and infected snails in the pitting marshland were respectively 9.62 number/0.11 m² and 3.66 number/0.11 m², as the highest type. The marshland with outside levee and the island marshland took the second place. The estuary marshland, common marshland, narrow marshland and wide marshland were in the middle. The uplift marshland and marshland with forest had the relatively low snail densities. Conclusions The types of marshland geomorphology and the snail density have a significant spatial correlation. If some engineering measures can be adopted to change the geomorphology of pitting marshland and marshland with outside levee, the regional snail density might be decreased remarkably.