Northern China, the Mongolian plateau, and central China have experienced periods of aridness throughout the Chinese history. Xunming Wang and fellow authors of “Climate, Desertification, and the Rise and Collapse of China’s Historical Dynasties” point out that China’s historical culture has been strongly influenced by the changes in weather patterns, especially the desertification cycles. They base their belief on archaeological evidence revealing that “dynasties flourished when desertification was reversing and biological productivity was increasing, and collapsed when desertification expanded in their core
Northern China, the Mongolian plateau, and central China have experienced periods of aridness throughout the Chinese history. Xunming Wang and fellow authors of “Climate, Desertification, and the Rise and Collapse of China’s Historical Dynasties” point out that China’s historical culture has been strongly influenced by the changes in weather patterns, especially the desertification cycles. They base their belief on archaeological evidence revealing that “dynasties flourished when desertification was reversing and biological productivity was increasing, and collapsed when desertification expanded in their core