Wang Huanjiong

Climate change, migration, and regional administrative reform: A case study of Xinjiang in the middle Qing Dynasty (1760–1884)

Based on historical records of extreme climate events and population densities in Gansu and Shaanxi, and information on climate change, populations, new cultivated cropland, and administrative system reform in Xinjiang, this study explores the interaction between climate change, migration, and regional administrative reform in the middle Qing Dynasty. The results showed that the surge in population migration from Gansu and Shaanxi to Xinjiang during 1760–1820 was caused by extreme climate events (droughts and floods) and population pressure in Gansu and Shaanxi. During 1760–1880, the climate in Xinjiang was unusually cold and humid, which was highly conducive to abundant regional water resources. This provided favorable conditions for farmland irrigation and further promoted agricultural cultivation, population growth, and town development within this region. Additionally, the interactions between climate change and the above-mentioned social factors, which acted as driving forces, spurred the reform in the administrative system of Xinjiang whereby the military administration system was transformed to a province administration system. Through this reform, the Qing government managed to restore peace and stability in Xinjiang. This study contributes to a better understanding of climate-related population migration and enhances our knowledge of the impact-response chain between climate change, ancient social developments, and political coping strategies, especially in regional administrative reform.

Ecosystem Service Assessment of Grasslands in the Sanjiangyuan Region

Grassland ecosystem in the Sanjiangyuan Region(Three-River Headwater Region) plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance and guaranteeing sustainable development of social-economic system.By using multiple methods,we assessed the value of nine types of ecosystem services in the Sanjiangyuan region based on the ecosystem services classification system of MA.The results showed that the total value of grassland ecosystem in the Sanjiangyuan Region was 56.26 billion RMB yuan in 2000.The top two values of ecosystem services were climate regulation and food production,which were 11.17 billion RMB yuan and 2.59 billion RMB yuan,with the contribution rate of 46.05% and 19.85% respectively.With respect to different grassland types,alpine meadow and alpine grassland have the values of 49.10 billion RMB yuan and 6.47 billion RMB yuan,contributing 87.42% and 11.52% to the whole value.Swamp has the highest value of 4230.77 RMB yuan per hm2,but its area is small,thus a relatively low value in total.The results of this study provide the scientific support for policy making in ecosystem protection and the practice of ecological compensation.