Genetic characterization and mapping of the cultural landscape of traditional Tibetan villages in western Sichuan, China

Genetic characterization and mapping of the cultural landscape of traditional Tibetan villages in western Sichuan, China | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Genetic characterization and mapping of the cultural landscape of traditional Tibetan villages in western Sichuan, China Ding Fan, Nor Zarifaha Binti Maliki, Chuan He, Yu Bi, siwei Yu This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5505146/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 04 Jul, 2025 Read the published version in npj Heritage Science → Version 1 posted 7 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study employs landscape genetics theory to analyze the cultural landscapes of traditional Tibetan villages in western Sichuan, China. Integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, field surveys, and classification analysis, the study identifies four cultural landscape genotypes—primary, additional, mixed, and variant—highlighting the critical role of religious beliefs. A multi-level cultural landscape gene map is constructed, reflecting the spatial, architectural, and traditional artistic characteristics of these villages. The findings indicate that diverse landscape genes collectively enhance the resilience of Tibetan cultural landscapes. This study provides a valuable framework for preserving cultural diversity and offers insights for heritage conservation and sustainable planning in minority regions. However, limitations remain in capturing the dynamic evolution of village landscapes and cross-regional comparisons. Future research should address these challenges to refine analytical models and expand comparative studies. Cultural landscape Gene theory Tibetan village Heritage conservation China Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 Figure 17 Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 04 Jul, 2025 Read the published version in npj Heritage Science → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 14 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Apr, 2025 Reviews received at journal 20 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 20 Apr, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 19 Apr, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 19 Apr, 2025 First submitted to journal 23 Jan, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5505146","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":447412806,"identity":"d91ebb7d-f3ad-444e-a79f-68a3dfb13f3f","order_by":0,"name":"Ding 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China","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":false,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"npj-heritage-science","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"hsci","sideBox":"Learn more about [Heritage Science](http://heritagesciencejournal.springeropen.com)","snPcode":"40494","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/40494/3","title":"npj Heritage Science","twitterHandle":"@SpringerOpen","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO 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