Reconstruction of Historical Arable Land Area and Spatial Distribution Patterns in Southeastern Tibet

Juan Zhou, Fenggui Liu (), Qiong Chen, Hongxia Pan, Yiyun He and Qiang Zhou
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Juan Zhou: College of Geography Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
Fenggui Liu: College of Geography Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
Qiong Chen: College of Geography Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
Hongxia Pan: College of Geography Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
Yiyun He: College of Geography Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
Qiang Zhou: College of Geography Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: The southeastern Tibet region is characterized by rugged terrain and relative isolation, which has significantly constrained the development of agriculture. However, due to the extremely limited archaeological and historical records available, its important role in the history of agricultural development in Tibet has been overlooked. This study focuses on the Linzhi and Changdu regions of southeastern Tibet, integrating limited archival, historical, and documentary data. By reconstructing historical settlement patterns and population data, this study estimates the arable land area during the Tubo, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Using a grid-based model, it reconstructs the distribution patterns of arable land during these periods, aiming to provide a reference for the development of agriculture in Tibet. The research findings indicate the following: (1) During historical periods, settlements in southeastern Tibet were primarily distributed in flat, resource-rich alluvial plains at medium to high altitudes. Settlement types exhibited spatial differentiation: Post stations were primarily situated along major transportation routes that connected river valleys, as well as at high mountain passes. Temples tended to occupy moderately steep slopes, while manors were concentrated in low-lying valleys. (2) During the Tubo, Yuan, Ming, and Qing periods, the total arable land area and cultivation rate in southeastern Tibet were generally low, with total arable land areas of 28,085 hm 2 , 29,449 hm 2 , 25,319 hm 2 , and 24,371 hm 2 , respectively, and cultivation rates of 0.12%, 0.13%, 0.11%, and 0.11%, respectively. (3) Farmland was predominantly distributed along the Yarlung Zangbo, Jinsha, Lancang, and Nu Rivers and their broader tributary valleys. Natural constraints resulted in a highly fragmented farmland distribution.

Keywords: arable land distribution pattern; grid reconstruction; southeastern Tibet region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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