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Abnormally low precipitation-induced ecological imbalance contributed to the fall of the Ming Dynasty: new evidence from tree rings

Author

Listed:
  • Feng Chen

    (Yunnan University
    Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration)

  • Hadad Martín

    (Laboratorio de Dendrocronología de Zonas Áridas CIGEOBIO (CONICET-UNSJ), Gabinete de Geología Ambiental (INGEO-UNSJ))

  • Xiaoen Zhao

    (Yunnan University)

  • Fidel Roig

    (IANIGLA-CCT CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo
    Universidad Mayor)

  • Heli Zhang

    (Yunnan University
    Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration)

  • Shijie Wang

    (Yunnan University)

  • Weipeng Yue

    (Yunnan University)

  • Youping Chen

    (Yunnan University)

Abstract

Climate change has played a crucial role in the subrogation of Chinese dynasties. In particular, the Ming-Qing transition coincided with the rapid decrease in precipitation and the sharp deterioration of agroecological conditions in northern China under the cold conditions brought on by the Little Ice Age. Here, we present a new precipitation reconstruction (June-April) for northern Chinese Loess Plateau since 1590 CE. The reconstruction was derived from a tree-ring width chronology of Platycladus orientalis, and made it possible to quantitatively assess the period of megadroughts during the late Ming Dynasty, with high resolution. Our analysis showed that these extreme drought events have been unprecedented in China for the last 500 years, and precipitation variation could be linked to ENSO activities. The environmental imbalance caused by these megadroughts magnified the negative impacts of the climate on agriculture and society, an important reason for considering these phenomena as catalysts for the demise of the Ming Dynasty.

Suggested Citation

  • Feng Chen & Hadad Martín & Xiaoen Zhao & Fidel Roig & Heli Zhang & Shijie Wang & Weipeng Yue & Youping Chen, 2022. "Abnormally low precipitation-induced ecological imbalance contributed to the fall of the Ming Dynasty: new evidence from tree rings," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:173:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10584-022-03406-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-022-03406-y
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