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A Long View of Resilience in the Chengdu Plain, China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 May 2019

Susan H. Whiting ,
Daniel Abramson ,
Shang Yuan  and
Stevan Harrell
Susan H. Whiting
Affiliation:
Susan H. Whiting (swhiting@uw.edu) is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington. Daniel Abramson (abramson@uw.edu) is Associate Professor of Urban Design and Planning at the University of Washington. Shang Yuan (scuyuans@qq.com) is PhD Candidate in History at Sichuan University. Stevan Harrell (stevehar@uw.edu) is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington.
Daniel Abramson
Affiliation:
Susan H. Whiting (swhiting@uw.edu) is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington. Daniel Abramson (abramson@uw.edu) is Associate Professor of Urban Design and Planning at the University of Washington. Shang Yuan (scuyuans@qq.com) is PhD Candidate in History at Sichuan University. Stevan Harrell (stevehar@uw.edu) is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington.
Shang Yuan
Affiliation:
Susan H. Whiting (swhiting@uw.edu) is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington. Daniel Abramson (abramson@uw.edu) is Associate Professor of Urban Design and Planning at the University of Washington. Shang Yuan (scuyuans@qq.com) is PhD Candidate in History at Sichuan University. Stevan Harrell (stevehar@uw.edu) is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington.
Stevan Harrell
Affiliation:
Susan H. Whiting (swhiting@uw.edu) is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington. Daniel Abramson (abramson@uw.edu) is Associate Professor of Urban Design and Planning at the University of Washington. Shang Yuan (scuyuans@qq.com) is PhD Candidate in History at Sichuan University. Stevan Harrell (stevehar@uw.edu) is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington.
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Abstract

The Chengdu Plain is an agroecosystem that depends on the Dujiangyan (Capital River Weir) for its functioning. This system has been sustained at high levels of productivity for more than two thousand years, experiencing only a few disturbances that have disrupted its functioning. Integrating field and documentary research on ecological, market, and governance factors, this article discusses the remarkable resilience of this system from the late Qing to the present and identifies current threats to its resilience. When the ecology consists of patchy and diverse landscapes, markets allow for adaptation through exchange, and governance includes cross-cutting sources of authority and flexible property regimes, the ecosystem is more resilient—that is, better able to withstand disturbances and maintain its basic functions.

Keywords

ChengduChinaDujiangyanecologygovernancelandmarketplanningresiliencesustainability
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Asian Studies , Volume 78 , Issue 2 , May 2019 , pp. 257 - 284
Copyright
Copyright © The Association for Asian Studies, Inc. 2019 

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