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How did ancient China prevent the transition from extreme drought to famine? Taking Wanli Drought of the Ming dynasty as an example

Bibliographic Data

ID22025286
AuthorsFangyu Tian (Beijing Normal University), Yun Su (0000-0003-1397-9345, Beijing Normal University, corresponding author), Zijian Harrison Gong (0000-0002-7846-2366, Beijing Normal University), Zijian Gong
Year2024
Volume110
Pages104618
Publication date2024-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2212-4209
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104618
OpenAlexW4399700104
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited39

Extreme drought events have had profound impacts on economic and social development since historical times, with famine being one of the most serious consequences that can threaten human health and longevity. However, effective responses can mitigate the impacts of extreme drought and alleviate the severity of the resulting famine. This article reconstructed the spatial distribution of extreme drought and famine in northern China during the Wanli Drought (1585–1588 AD) and analysed the disparity between spatial distribution of famine severity and drought intensity. The locations of the granaries and the relief actions of the Ming government were discussed to explain this disparity. The following conclusions are drawn: the North China Plain was a typical region with severe drought but mild famine, highlighting the importance of relief grains from central granaries and good local grain reserves in alleviating famine. The northern border towns, also experiencing severe drought but mild famine, benefited from political security due to their military positions, ensuring food security and mitigating famine. Drought and famine exhibit nonlinear causal relationships. Famine reflects not only insecure food production but also insecure food supply and consumption, which can be regulated in multiple ways

Ancient history · Archaeology · Biology · China · Famine · History of China · Climate variability and models · History · Hydrology and Drought Analysis · Tree-ring climate responses

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Citations per year1
Citation span2026 - 2026 (1)
Highly citedNo

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