The Study On The Development Of The Researches On Historical Climate Change In China (1920s-1970s)

The study on the historical climate change in China is helpful to understand the research achievements of this research field. Furthermore, it is of great importance to summarize the research contents, the method, the theory and the background of different periods, which is meaningful for the future development of this research field.This study focuses on the academic achievements, researchers, academic activities of the historical climate change in China by using the theories and the methods of the history of science. The study period ranges from the early twentieth century to the 1970s. The main conclusion is as follows:(1) The ancients in China have realized the climatic change and begun to record the climate change. The study on the historical climate change in China sprouted in the early twentieth century, when the Western knowledge of environment change spread and influenced the researchers in China.(2) The study on the historical climate change in China during 1920s-1970s has evolved through three main stages. The first stage is the exploring period from the 1920s to 1940s. The second stage is the developing period from the 1950s to 1960s. The last ten years (1970s) is the relatively established period.(3) The research on the historical climate change was on its infancy in 1920s-1940s. The amount of research achievements is relativly less in the first period. The researches mainly focus on whether the climate change, the trend and range of the climate change in the past, and the climate by dynasty history. The temperature and precipitation are the two contents was proposed by Chu Kochen. The research method was the parameterization of the records of warm events, cold events, floods, and droughts. The researchers are mainly from history research institute.(4) The research on the historical climate change increased exponentially in 1950s-1960s. The researches in second period emphasized practicability. The hot topics are the historical records collation, historical flood and drought disasters. The phenology evidence was widely used. The research activities served the economic development. The researchers are mainly from geography research institute.(5)The research on the historical climate has also increased significantly in 1970s. The long-term successional climate series was established. The comprehensive utilization of different evidences, the complicated reconstruction method, and the deep conversations and cooperation are all the characteristics in the third period.