Research on the Changes of Plants and Animals in Chinese Historical Periods

Author: Wen Huoran / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: This book is a revised and supplemented edition based on the 1995 hardcover version. It selects 24 articles (including 2 supplementary ones) by the late renowned historical geographer Wen Huoran and his collaborative works, divided into two parts: Historical Plant Geography and Historical Animal Geography. The book employs interdisciplinary research findings and methods, including paleontology, archaeology, modern studies of flora and fauna, as well as radiocarbon dating and pollen analysis. Notably, it combines ancient literature records with field investigations to identify species of plants and rare or extinct wildlife during China's historical periods, such as forests, bamboo groves, citrus, lychees, marine animals, crocodiles, peafowls, parrots, Asian elephants, giant pandas, wild horses, wild donkeys, Bactrian camels, musk deer, roe deer, gibbons, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and rhinoceroses. It delves into their geographical distribution and changes, explores the factors influencing these changes, and systematically reflects China's research achievements in historical biogeography. This book represents a valuable attempt to integrate natural and humanities research.
Additionally, to better reflect the latest developments in this field, five newly written articles by Wen Rongsheng on rare wildlife are included as appendices in this paperback edition for reference. The book is not only suitable for professionals in geography, historical geography, biology, forestry, meteorology, environmental science, ecology, and natural history but also serves as a reference for students and researchers in various fields such as history, population studies, sociology, and economics.