The relationship between interannual dry/wet changes and nomadic wars in the Hexi Corridor region of China during the period 241–1912 A.D.  

作　　者：Fei TANG Zhilin SHI Qinhua TIAN Xiaogang DU Yong ZHANG 

机构地区：[1]Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation,Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100101,China [2]Institute of Dunhuang Studies,Lanzhou University,Lanzhou 730020,China [3]National Climate Center,China Meteorological Administration,Beijing 100081,China [4]Longchanghe Station,Gansu Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve,Zhangye 734400,China [5]University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100049,China

出　　处：《Science China Earth Sciences》2024年第6期1922-1931,共10页中国科学（地球科学英文版）

基　　金：supported by the Basic Science Center for Tibetan Plateau Earth System(Grant No.41988101);the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41977392);the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2019YFA0606602);the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu,China(Grant No.22JR5RA449);the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities(Grant No.22lzujbkydx036)。

摘　　要：The link between climate and war has long been a topic of great scientific and social interest.In this study,we investigate the influence of climate on warfare in China’s Hexi Corridor region since 241 A.D.Using the superposed epoch analysis of tree-ring data and historical war data,we observe a notable correlation between interannual dry-wet variations and wars instigated by nomadic groups in the Hexi Corridor.However,this relationship is dynamic and influenced by the region’s relative unity.During periods in which the Hexi Corridor was ruled by multiple regimes,wars tended to follow dry climatic conditions,which may be due to the fact that unusual drought during these periods likely heightened competition for resources and land.Conversely,during times of regional unity,wars were more likely to occur when climatic conditions were wet because the expansion of rangelands and the accumulation of resources helped fuel the nomads’outward conquest.These findings underscore the complexity of the relationship between war and climate change.To gain a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship,continuous,high-resolution historical temperature and humidity datasets with broader and more uniform coverage are needed across multiple regions.In addition,collecting and examining disaggregated historical war data for regions with distinct characteristics is essential.

关 键 词：DROUGHT Interannual dry and wet variations WAR The Hexi Corridor Tree ring Nomadic groups 

分 类 号：P467[天文地球—大气科学及气象学] K23[历史地理—历史学]