Objective  Most cultural landscapes are the collective result of interactions between numerous individuals over a long period of time, which are typically clustered geographically. Water network system is an excellent abstract and generalized form of the geographic clustering of cultural landscape. This research aims to propose the concept of clustered cultural landscape, define source-sink water network systems, and explore the network patterns of specific clustered cultural landscape.

Methods  The research selects clustered cultural landscapes dominated by three different water network forms of river, lake and ocean, and analyzes the source-sink water network methods suitable for these cultural landscapes. 1) A threshold-flow network system for local pebble-work landscape is constructed by softwares as ArcGIS and ArcView in combination with the human geography and spatial characteristics of local pebble-work landscapes in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. 2) A lake-river network system for urban eight scenes is constructed by analyzing the historical transformations and spatial structure of river systems and lakes traversed by the Yangtze River in Hunan, Hubei and Jiangxi provinces. 3) A multi-connection transoceanic communication network system for immigrant cultural landscapes is constructed by taking Qiaopi halls as key nodes.

Results  The research analyzes the relationship between and composition and characteristics of corresponding cultural landscapes and their associated water network systems. The research constructs three types of network systems, namely the threshold-flow network system, lake-river network system, and multi-connection transoceanic communication network system, and elucidates the adaptability of different water network systems to corresponding clustered cultural landscapes. The research also highlights the methodological significance and systematic thinking value of these network patterns for other clustered cultural landscapes. 1) The threshold-flow network provides a framework for studying local pebble landscapes and contributes to the exploration, preservation and inheritance of their cultural landscape heritage values. This network pattern enriches the theoretical connotations and methods of cultural landscape research in China, and provides a reference for other water-dependent cultural landscapes. 2) The lake-river network method offers a clear and systematic framework and perspective for studying urban eight scenes, and provides a systematic approach and tools for researching cultural landscapes based on lake basins. 3) The multi-connection transoceanic communication network allows for the exploration of the rich cultural landscape connotations of Qiaopi halls and provides inspiration for the research on other cross-regional and transoceanic cultural landscapes. Water network systems have practical value in constructing the knowledge system, theoretical exposition, value exploration, and systematic conservation and inheritance of clustered cultural landscape heritage. In terms of knowledge system, water network systems can play a crucial role in organizing the knowledge content of clustered cultural landscapes in a systematic manner. By leveraging contemporary digital technologies to establish databases, the knowledge system of clustered cultural landscapes can be efficiently and systematically manage, present, visualize, simulate and preserve. In terms of theoretical exposition, the integration of water network theory with ideas and theories from related disciplines can establish a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the generation, development and transformation of clustered cultural landscapes. This framework can offer a rational, diverse and hierarchically rich theoretical interpretation and spatial exploration of the complex mapping relationships between heritage sites. In terms of value exploration, water network systems have the ability to integrate diverse forms of clustered cultural landscapes into a unified thinking framework, thus surpassing the limitations of individual heritage value assessments. This integration may contribute to the formation of a rich hierarchy of heritage value systems. In terms of conservation and inheritance, water network systems can provide a holistic view of clustered cultural landscapes, aiding in the construction of heritage and heritage node conservation systems, and facilitating the organization and management of heritage sites, thereby supporting the rational utilization of clustered cultural landscape heritage.

Conclusion  Specific clustered cultural landscapes can be explored in terms of their appropriate water network patterns, thus contributing to the exploration, preservation and transmission of cultural landscape heritage. This research builds a heritage conservation system and a heritage node conservation system, and sorts out the occurrence of cultural landscape heritage, with a view to supporting the rational utilization of the clustered cultural landscape.