On evolution of man-land system in oasis

Abstract

Human beings have had a tremendous impact on natural ecosystems and are now the principal power to change the biosphere. It is logical that we should pay close attention to the interaction between human systems and environmental systems. Taking Minqin basin, Gansu Province, as a case, this paper focuses on the evolution of regional physical environments and the cultural systems by which people maintain their relationships with those environments. This paper presents the conceptual framework for the man-land system. Expecting to accelerate the regional sustainable development, it also analyses the evolutionary mechanism of regional man-land system. On the basis of reviewing and analyzing the evolution of man-land system in Minqin basin, the paper also brings forward an adjusting mode for the studied area, which consists of three aspects: to build up a concept that economic growth must harmonize with environmental quality’s and land productivity’s improvement; to make a whole planning and management in the drainage area; and to push forward the technique of water-saving irrigation and establish water-saving agricultural system. It’s meaningful for resource exploitation and sustainable development of Chinese northwestern arid area, which is represented by Minqin basin, by understanding what great changes the basin has experienced and is experiencing at the global background, and studying its time order and territorial structure, the system’s character and law of evolution, trend and the regulating ways to improve man-land relationship.