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The Huayuankou flood event (1938–1947) refers to the prolonged flooding caused by the artificial bursting of the Yellow River embankment at Huayuankou during the Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). It recreated the historical scenes of frequent floods in the lower Yellow River region of China since the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368–1911), with the counties along the Jialu River in the eastern plains of Henan especially becoming the disaster-stricken areas. The flood lasted for nearly nine years until the completion of embankment restoration work in 1947, causing long-term and extensive environmental impacts. This paper discusses this catastrophic historical flood event caused by human factors, the warfare strategies and hydraulic technology that acted as drives, and the location factors and historical context leading to the start of flooding in flood-prone areas of Henan. Based on spatial perspectives and the historical GIS approach, the paper compiles and integrates historical documents and maps with archival material and topographic maps from the 1930s and 1940s to present the extent of the flood, the associated disasters, and the persistent effects of official relief strategies and political situation in the wider context, examining how the Huayuankou flood was used as a military tactic, but with unpredictable disastrous consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Carnian Pluvial Event (CPE) induced an intense carbon-cycle disturbance and biological crisis at a global scale. The eruption of the Wrangellia Large Igneous Province (W-LIP) is considered a possible triggering mechanism; however, this cannot fully explain the significant differences in environmental perturbations across different regions. In this paper, we present detailed records of petrography, mercury geochemistry, carbon and sulfur isotopes, trace elements, and provenance data for the Triassic lacustrine facies of the Ordos Basin in the North China Plate, which provide insights into the important effects of volcanic activities, other than the W-LIP, on palaeoenvironment during the CPE interval. Massive emissions of SO 2 , CO 2 , and pyroclastic deposits resulting from these volcanic activities triggered four humid episodes, each characterized by lake-level rise, negative δ13C org excursion, a transition from mudstones to organic-rich shales facies, as well as algal bloom within a time span of 180 kyrs. The establishment of an age framework in the Ordos Basin enables comparative analyses of environmental evolution during the Carnian age across the North China Plate, the western Tethys domain, and the South China Plate. During the period of global climate perturbation driven by the W-LIP eruption, we conclude that short-term localized volcanic activities may have further induced high frequentcy environmental perturbations, which influenced biological shifts and increase organic carbon burial. These short-term volcanic activities with different occurrence times and frequencies complicate local-scale palaeoenvironmental evolutions, which may be an important reason contributing to significant differences in environmental perturbations during the CPE interval across different regions of the globe. • Four humid episodes and sedimentary changes occurred within 0.18Ma in the Ordos Basin during Carnian age. • Environmental changes in the Ordos Basin was related to the local volcanisms in its nearby Qinling orogenic belts. • Short-term local volcanisms can complicate the environmental evolutions in different parts of globe during the CPE interval. • Local volcanic processes may cause inconsistent environment perturbation in different parts of globe during the CPE interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reveal the changes of vegetation in southern China since the Last Glacial Maximum, we have established high-resolution time scales and palynological sequences of borehole profiles by drilling cores in some weak areas of the research to restore vegetation changes over the past 20,000 years on the basis of previous work. This paper gives the vegetation zoning maps of 18, 9 and 6 ka BP respectively in southern China, and describes the distribution characteristics of plants in different zones/subzones. The results show that the vegetation zonations around 18 ka BP were significantly different from that at present. It appeared in turn with Cold-temperate coniferous forest and alpine meadow steppe zone, and Temperate mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest zone/warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest zone from northwest to southeast in the west, and Temperate mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest zone, Warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest zone, and Northern subtropical mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest zone from north to south in the central and east. The vegetation distribution around 9 ka BP changed distinctively. Except that the northwest part was located in Mountain temperate mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest zone, the vegetation in other areas occurred in turn with North subtropical mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest subzone, Mid-subtropical typical evergreen broad-leaved forest subzone, and South sub-tropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest subzone/Tropical seasonal rainforest and rainforest zone from north to south. There was little change in the appearance of vegetation zonations between 6 and 9 ka BP, but the northern edge of each vegetation belt moved a little northward, reflecting that the overall climate became warmer around 6 ka BP. The vegetation changes in southern China over the past 20,000 years were largely driven by environmental changes. Climate change was the main factor affecting the vegetation distribution. The impact of human activities became more and more remarkable in the later period. In the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the delta region, sea level changes also influenced the vegetation distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a large country by area. In situ monitoring of the environment cannot meet the demand of the society. For large areas, remote sensing is the only viable technology for environmental monitoring of the entire area. Although satellite observation capabilities as well as remotely sensed data acquired on board of satellites from both within and outside China are widely available, research is rare that targets the entire territory of China for environmental monitoring. In this paper, the process of environmental change has been categorized into changes in driving forces, environmental change, materials transport and transformation, concentration and abundance change, exposure and infection change of human and ecosystems, and impacts. The potential in monitoring changes in these various aspects is assessed. The progress of environmental change monitoring over the entire territory of China is reviewed. It is suggested that at the methodological level, remote sensing should not only be applied to observation and experiments as well as understanding the change mechanism, but also be coupled with environmental simulation and forecasting so as to support environmental policy making. At the application level, remote sensing should be used beyond its traditional application fields to include species diversity, biological invasion, public health, air and water quality monitoring. Finally, at the technical level, systematic research should be devoted to the improvement of operational and automatic use of remotely sensed data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we summarize the Holocene environmental history of the lower Yangtze region, east China, based on the sedimentary records and microfossil diatom, pollen, fungal and charcoal data that were published in the past two decades. We then examine the linkage between changes in the coastal environment and the development of rice agriculture in the region, with reference to the available archaeological evidence and historical archives. Based on the sedimentary and archaeological evidence, we conclude that during the early Holocene sea-level movements and sedimentary processes significantly changed the region’s landscape from an open, brackish water environment to a largely enclosed, wetland system. This newly established freshwater marsh environment provided a habitat favourable to rice agriculture. The early Neolithic farmers took the opportunity presented to them and started rice cultivation in locations where freshwater wetland systems were established. During the middle Holocene, environmental conditions were largely stable, and the coastal wetlands evolved slowly. Environmental change was only a supportive player in the Neolithic cultural processes, because the Neolithic people were able to adapt to these changes and took advantages of the newly emerging marsh land for food collection and production. Around 4200 years ago, the prosperous Liangzhu society fell, but there is no evidence to suggest the fall was related to a significant environmental change. The coastal environment continued to evolve slowly during the late Holocene. But this period saw rapid technological development in irrigation and flood protection, and the environmental factor was reduced to background noise. Throughout the Holocene, the main strategy taken by the Neolithic people to cope with environmental change was migration to find better food sources. Along with this strategy was the development of technology in landscape management to ensure a more reliable food production in addition to food collection through hunting, gathering and fishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last glacial period was vital for the distribution and evolution of early modern humans in Asia. The Shuidonggou Late Paleolithic site, dated at 30-20 ka BP, accumulated cultural remains during the important late stage of MIS 3 period in the last glacial. These remains represent characteristics of typical Late Paleolithic conditions in North China: high degree of standardization and morphological variability of tool types, exploitation of bone materials, systematic use of body decorations, extensive use of earth-pit hearths, distinct functional spatial organization within habitations, and conversion of subsistence patterns. These characteristics illustrate early modern human behaviors during the late MIS3 period, and provide clues and perspectives for the analysis of early modern human origins in China. At the same time, the conversion of subsistence patterns is considered to be a combination of multiple early modern human behaviors, as well as the result of the Broad Spectrum Revolution. In this paper, we argue for the dynamic mechanism of Broad Spectrum Revolution from a human behavioral and ecological perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reviews our current understanding of Quaternary climate and landscape changes in the desert areas of northern China, a key portion of the middle-latitude drylands on Earth. Combining earlier studies with our recent research and experience, we offer a comprehensive picture of the state of Chinese deserts during the Quaternary and, in the interest of enhancing future research, identify knowledge gaps and areas of uncertainty. Lacustrine deposits found over an area ranging from China’s western Taklamakan Desert to the eastern Hunshandake Sandy Lands suggest that extensive lakes occurred in China’s deserts during the Pleistocene. Analysis of digital elevation models from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) data supports this interpretation and shows the significant extent of these former lakes. New estimates of mean annual evaporation of ca. 1000 mm from lake surfaces and ca. 100 mm from land surfaces, confirms that local and regional rainfall is critical for maintenance of desert lakes in this temperate zone, especially during intervals when the mean annual rainfall is more than 100 mm. Rapid shifts between sand seas and lakes in geologically and environmentally diverse settings suggest that the drylands of China are very sensitive ephemeral systems, and not long-lasting as previously thought. Available chronologies suggest that there were large lakes in the western Taklamakan Desert and the Chadamu Basin during MIS (Marine Isotope Stage) 3, at ∼30 ka, probably related to a period of strong influence of northern hemispheric westerly winds. Channels and elevation models revealed by SRTM data and remains of lacustrine sediments also indicate that there was a large lake in the Hunshandake Sandy Lands in the eastern portion of the desert belt during the Quaternary. There is significant evidence that during the middle Holocene strong summer monsoons led to a relatively large increase in moisture availability in the entire desert belt of northern China. Lacustrine records from the Badain Jaran Desert in western Inner Mongolia suggest that it was generally dry before 10 cal ka, becoming wetter from 10 to 4 cal ka, and dry again afterwards. Study of palaeosols widely occurring in dune stratigraphy in the eastern portion of the desert belt, suggests that there was a period of wet and warm climate in this region during the mid-Holocene Optimum, at a minimum between 6 ka and 4 ka, but possibly lasting longer. Recent observations dealing with the generation and transport of dust from Central Asia indicate that the causal relationship between sand seas and loess sequences is not as close as previously assumed. These results suggest that there is an urgent need to examine whether the frequency and amplitude of climatic variation in Chinese deserts are somehow similar to that having occurred in the Sahara Desert of North Africa. Deserts in northern China were also important focal regions for Neolithic cultures during intervals when environmental conditions supported a denser vegetative cover. There is evidence that some areas of woody vegetation to the west of Badain Jaran Desert were deforested by humans by ca. 4000 yr B P, although it is still debatable whether humans have had a significant impact in other areas at that time. Opinions on the severity of desertification vary and are sometimes contradictory due to the lack of long-term, field-based, investigations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article investigates a series of projects for the improvement of shipping conditions of the Upper Yangzi in 1805-'40. The enterprise was undertaken by two Hankou merchants, one of whom published his 'Brief Account of the Taming of the Rapids'. An analysis of the detailed data of this source provides insights into navigation conditions and rates of environmental change on a major river, and into a major infrastructure project undertaken as merchant philanthropy. This paper proposes a perspective on water transport in pre-industrial China against a wider temporal and cultural backdrop, with a particular reference to private philanthropy as a set item within the moral economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lower Yangtze, eastern China, was colonized by several Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures giving rise to possibly the highest concentration of prehistoric sites in the world. Early Neolithic cultures in the delta region cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) and agricultural developments appear to have occurred throughout the Neolithic with abrupt socio-economic changes possibly associated with the terminal Neolithic. Given the extensive history of environmental exploitation and well-preserved archaeological sites, the Yangtze delta is an ideal setting to explore the complex interactions between humans and their environment. Multiproxies of environmental changes, namely pollen, charcoal and phytoliths, in a 14C AMS-dated sequence of sediments from an exposed profile at Qingpu, Yangtze delta, were investigated. 14C AMS dating indicates that the age range of the sedimentary sequence analysed is from c. 1800 to 6000 BP, and therefore encompasses the terminal Neolithic and subsequent Bronze Age in the region. This paper reviews this sediment-based evidence in the light of current understanding of human-environment interactions during a critical phase of the development of the Yangtze delta and associated human cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The middle–late Cambrian is a key interval between the Cambrian Explosion and the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE) that marks a major biologic evolutionary transition in the geologic record. Diversity (i.e. richness) patterns in this interval show that macro-biota experienced evolutionary setbacks for the first time. However, relatively little attention has been paid to this interval in previous macroevolutionary studies and very different conclusions about the diversity patterns in coarse time-resolution have been documented. As a dominate group of marine benthic organisms in the Cambrian, trilobites provide insightful information to understand the history of biodiversity in the Cambrian marine ecosystem from the Cambrian Explosion to the GOBE. South China is a region with relatively good preservation of Cambrian fossil materials and sections, and 4 out of 6 Cambrian GSSPs were established in South China. In this paper, we use constrained optimization (CONOP) to correlate 19 sections from South China to reduce the Signor-Lipps effect and integrate the results with high-resolution chronostratigraphic data to evaluate the middle–late Cambrian trilobite diversity pattern in South China. This study, for the first time, constructs a high time-resolution (about 60 kyr) trilobite species-level richness curve with estimated time from Age 4 to the Paibian. A double-peaked species diversification is separated by a minor extinction in Stage 4; this is followed by a gradual decline of species diversity over the entire Wuliuan Age. A radiation of three times increase of species diversity in the Drumian and Guzhangian is exhibited and the diversity remains high for most of the Guzhangian Stage; this is followed by a great extinction at the end of the Guzhangian with around 50% species lost. Detailed comparison with previous composite studies and fossil material from single sections revealed that the Signor-Lipps effect could produce large biases in diversity pattern. In addition, a precise analysis of species evolution features compared with environmental indices provides a perspective about trilobite evolutionary mechanisms associated with environmental changes related to the carbon cycle and biotic competition. • Middle-late Cambrian trilobite diversity trajectory of South China is established. • High temporal resolution of diversity pattern is produced with CONOP method. • The results reveal two major diversity losses and a biodiversification event in Guzhuangian. • Signor-Lipps effect may affect diversity pattern significantly. • Major extinctions of trilobites are correlative with carbon isotope excursions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]