Abstract：How important functions have been taken the population factors in historical process of desertification? What channels and laws were the functions? What salutary lessons can be drawn from the functions for the prevention and cure of desertification today?This is an important subject in face of our historical geographer.This paper uses the method of individual study for an example analyzing systematically the population changes during Qing Dynasty and the relations between the population changes and the land desertification in Minqin County in Gansu Province.We may obtain several scientific cognitions from these analyses.
This paper states clearly that there is fixed limitation of the capacity of the population in oases.If we unchecked grew the population,and blind expanded the area under cultivation,the steady and balance of ecosystem in oases would be destroyed tremendously.Owing to the limited in quantity of the irrigation of water sources,and the restricted of environmental condition,since oases cannot bear tremendous population burden,the desertification processes would occurred.This evil consequence have brought about the loss of land resources,conversely population burden have been further aggravated on existing land,and the environmental capacity in oases cannot further bearing population burden,as a result of the vicious circle have been formed and the desertification processes have been spread continuously.
True it can be seen that population pressure is the most essentially artificial factor which have caused desertification processes in oases,and population growth is often primary pressure which have caused desertification processes and environment deterioration.For this reason,it have decisive important significance to control efficaciously population dimensions,define scientifically suitable population capacity in oases,and lighten tremendous population pressure for the oases ecosystem from now on development and construction.
李并成. 人口因素在沙漠化历史过程中作用的考察——以甘肃省民勤县为例[J]. 人文地理, 2005, 20(5): 118-121,55.
LI Bing-cheng. A STUDY ON THE FUNCTION OF THE POPULATION FACTORS IN HISTORICAL PROCESS OF DESERTIFICATION. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, 2005, 20(5): 118-121,55.
