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Asian dust-storm activity dominated by Chinese dynasty changes since 2000 BP

Author

Listed:
  • Fahu Chen

    (Lanzhou University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS))

  • Shengqian Chen

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Xu Zhang

    (Lanzhou University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Jianhui Chen

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Xin Wang

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Evan J. Gowan

    (Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Mingrui Qiang

    (Lanzhou University
    South China Normal University)

  • Guanghui Dong

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Zongli Wang

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Yuecong Li

    (Hebei Normal University)

  • Qinghai Xu

    (Hebei Normal University)

  • Yangyang Xu

    (Texas A&M University)

  • John P. Smol

    (Queen’s University)

  • Jianbao Liu

    (Lanzhou University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS))

Abstract

The Asian monsoon (AM) played an important role in the dynastic history of China, yet it remains unknown whether AM-mediated shifts in Chinese societies affect earth surface processes to the point of exceeding natural variability. Here, we present a dust storm intensity record dating back to the first unified dynasty of China (the Qin Dynasty, 221–207 B.C.E.). Marked increases in dust storm activity coincided with unified dynasties with large populations during strong AM periods. By contrast, reduced dust storm activity corresponded to decreased population sizes and periods of civil unrest, which was co-eval with a weakened AM. The strengthened AM may have facilitated the development of Chinese civilizations, destabilizing the topsoil and thereby increasing the dust storm frequency. Beginning at least 2000 years ago, human activities might have started to overtake natural climatic variability as the dominant controls of dust storm activity in eastern China.

Suggested Citation

  • Fahu Chen & Shengqian Chen & Xu Zhang & Jianhui Chen & Xin Wang & Evan J. Gowan & Mingrui Qiang & Guanghui Dong & Zongli Wang & Yuecong Li & Qinghai Xu & Yangyang Xu & John P. Smol & Jianbao Liu, 2020. "Asian dust-storm activity dominated by Chinese dynasty changes since 2000 BP," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14765-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14765-4
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    Cited by:

    1. YuBiao Hao & XueCheng Zhang, 2023. "The impact of environmental regulation on urban green output efficiency: evidence from China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(6), pages 5717-5735, June.

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