Research on the Water Environment and Human-Land Interaction in the Wenfeng Pagoda Area of the Lower Reaches of the Yuan River during the Ming and Qing Dynasties

A significant water environment transformation and population restructuring occurred in the Wenfeng Pagoda area of Hanshou County during the Ming and Qing dynasties, driven by climate fluctuations like the 'Little Ice Age,' rice agriculture expansion, and water conservancy projects. This finding sheds light on how historical hydrological changes influenced regional social and economic development. The study integrated multi-source evidence—including climate data, local chronicles, population records, and remnants of water infrastructure—to reconstruct the area's environmental dynamics and human activity patterns. It also highlights the emergence of water deity beliefs and cultural spaces as reflections of societal responses to environmental challenges. These insights provide empirical support for understanding the ecological evolution in the middle Yangtze River basin and offer historical lessons for modern river management and heritage conservation.

Dandan, Z., Mengran, X., & Yanling, L. (2025). Research on the Water Environment and Human-Land Interaction in the Wenfeng Pagoda Area of the Lower Reaches of the Yuan River during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Journal of Engineering System, 3(4), 108–118. https://doi.org/10.62517/jes.202502418