Development of Western Inner Mongolia during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and Land Desertification

Author: Xiao Ruiling, Cao Yongnian, Zhao Zhiheng, Yu Yong/Nationality: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-05-01
Features: With population growth, production development, and economic expansion, human activities on the ecological environment have become increasingly significant, and some impacts have even exceeded regional boundaries, extending globally. In-depth research on regional ecological and environmental issues, revealing their developmental and evolutionary patterns, and consciously serving China's ecological construction and conservation efforts, as well as the Western Development Strategy, is a sacred mission of academia. The National Social Science Fund project led by Mr. Xiao Ruiling, titled "Development of Western Inner Mongolia in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and Land Desertification," is a systematic exploration of ecological and environmental issues in a key region of China's northern agro-pastoral zone. The western part of Inner Mongolia referred to in this book includes parts of Ordos City, Bayan Nur City, Baotou City, Hohhot City, and Ulanqab League. Based on an introduction to the ecological environment conditions of the region during geological and historical periods, the book focuses on discussing human activities (primarily agricultural reclamation) in the area during the Ming and Qing dynasties and their environmental impacts. The interview materials in the appendix vividly reflect the degradation and desertification of grasslands in recent decades due to overgrazing, prompting deep reflection.