Climate change, migration, and regional administrative reform： A case study of Xinjiang in the middle Qing Dynasty(1760–1884)

Based on historical records of extreme climate events and population densities in Gansu and Shaanxi, and information on climate change, populations, new cultivated cropland, and administrative system reform in Xinjiang, this study explores the interaction between climate change, migration, and regional administrative reform in the middle Qing Dynasty. The results showed that the surge in population migration from Gansu and Shaanxi to Xinjiang during 1760–1820 was caused by extreme climate events(droughts and floods) and population pressure in Gansu and Shaanxi. During 1760–1880, the climate in Xinjiang was unusually cold and humid, which was highly conducive to abundant regional water resources. This provided favorable conditions for farmland irrigation and further promoted agricultural cultivation, population growth, and town development within this region. Additionally,the interactions between climate change and the above-mentioned social factors, which acted as driving forces, spurred the reform in the administrative system of Xinjiang whereby the military administration system was transformed to a province administration system. Through this reform, the Qing government managed to restore peace and stability in Xinjiang. This study contributes to a better understanding of climate-related population migration and enhances our knowledge of the impact-response chain between climate change, ancient social developments, and political coping strategies, especially in regional administrative reform.

From administering administrative divisions to regional public administration： a game analysis of evolution in the pattern of governance by the government

Regional public administration represents in essence an institutional change in the pattern of governance by the government, in that it breaks down the original institutional arrangements of the administration of administrative divisions and embarks on a new process of institutional evolution of the patterns of interest distribution in society. Present throughout this process is a game between different interests, leading to the final emergence of a new system - a new contractual setup resulting from the playing out of the relevant factors. These games take place mainly between the central and the local authorities and among the latter. Setting up a cooperative approach of ＂repeated gaming＂ when the game runs into possible difficulties, developing mechanisms conducive to better information exchange and to bilateral or multilateral consultation, further reshaping government functions by cutting the interest ties that link local authorities with socioeconomic entities, and strengthening the central authorities＇ macro-control functions are efficient guidance measures for setting up a system of regional public administration and realizing change in governance patterns.

Flocking behavior of forest birds in Hong Kong,South China

This paper reports observations of flocking behavior of birds in a well-protected secondary forest in Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. A total of 1025 flocks including 5255 birds and 48 species were observed between October 2002 and November 2003. Most flocks consisted of only one species. The observed flocks averaged 1.79 +/- 0.05 (SE) species and 5.13 +/- 0.18 (SE) birds. The Japanese White-eye was the most numerous species and was present in 21.6% of the observed flocks. Seasonal trends in both flock size and number of species were similar to those in overall bird density and species richness in the study area reported in a previous study.

Theory and measurement model of administrative region potential from a perspective of administrative division adjustment:Taking Chongqing city as a case study

There is a lack of basic theory and method to examine the effect of administrative division(AD) adjustment on the regional development. Based on the theory and practice of Chinese AD adjustments, the paper defined the concept of administrative region potential(ARP) and developed the quantitative model to measure the ARP. Then, the model was validated taking Chongqing as an empirical case. The results show that:(1) the ARP consists of energy of position(i.e., geographic space factors) and gravitational potential energy(i.e., administrative levels and management system factors). Administrative division adjustment can change the ARP, thereby changing its path and driving force of regional development.(2) The ARP model of Chongqing city can reflect the effects of administrative division adjustment events on the Chongqing city objectively. Specifically, ARP includes variables of land jurisdiction, human capital level, fixed assets investment capacity, administrative hierarchy of fiscal decentralization and administrative decentralization.(3) The ARP promotion has significant positive influence on the performance of local economic development in Chongqing city.(4) Reasonable AD adjustments will help the region integrate production elements and resources, enhance the political power of the city, improve its ARP, and then promote local economic development. The ARP model is proved to be an efficient way to understand and explain the regional effect of AD adjustment. It provides a new analytical perspective for the planning of AD adjustment in various regions, and can also be used as a practical method for assessing the effects of AD adjustment.