Subsistence strategies during the Neolithic in the Nenjiang River basin, Northeast China

The relationship between the water budget of wetlands and the water cycle process in local river basin is bidirectional. The recovery and function performance of the wetland are based on this relationship. Hydrological models are the effective tool to detecting this link. The distributed hydrologic model was the key supports in this study and was used to quantitative identify the change of water budget of the wetlands which was impacted by the water cycle evolution in Nenjiang River basin in Northeast China. The results indicated that precipitation, runoff and evapotranspiration both in the basin and wetlands present similar declining trend. The precipitation is the major recharge source, and the evapotranspiration is the primary output of wetlands. The value of mean change in storage of the wetlands is negative which is caused by the decrease of the area of wetlands. The results of land use pattern evolution change surface inflow in the wetlands in the basin scenarios simulation indicated. These results suggested that water budget of wetlands is influenced by water cycle in basin. And some reasonable measures for wetlands management should not only base on its features, but also pay attention to hydrological regime in basin.

Understanding streamflow changes under climate warming is critical for water resource management and disaster prevention in mid- and high-latitude regions. However, the factors driving streamflow changes remain unclear. This study investigated long-term streamflow trends, influencing factors, responses to climate change, and future flood risks in the Nenjiang River Basin, a typical mid-latitude region in Northeast China that is highly sensitive to droughts and floods. Using data from 1960 to 2016, we applied the Mann–Kendall trend and mutation tests and random forest models, and modeled streamflow responses to climate change to explore streamflow–climate interactions. Results showed significant warming (0.24–0.41 °C/decade, p < 0.05) and increased winter precipitation (0.77 mm/decade, p < 0.05), accompanied by declining annual and autumn streamflow (−6.03 and −3.62 mm/decade, p < 0.05), with abrupt shifts in 1963, 1996, and 2013. Climate change dominated streamflow changes, although human activities contributed 65% during 2013–2016. Streamflow responded more to precipitation than temperature, except in spring. Extreme floods occurred in 1960, 1998, and 2013. Scenario analysis (2021–2100) showed the highest flood frequency under the high-emission pathway (SSP5–8.5). These findings have crucial implications for water resource management, flood risk control, farming systems, and food security.

Wetland-based solutions against extreme flood and severe drought: Efficiency evaluation of risk mitigation

This article investigates the materials from recent excavations of the Neolithic sites in the Northeastern China, where the pottery dated back to more than 10,000 years BP was discovered. The author considered two early Neolithic sites in the Nenjiang River basin in the territory of modern Jilin province, Houtaomuga (its earliest layer), Shuangta, as well as the later one, Changtuozi-3. The comparison with the traditions of the archaeological cultures of the adjacent territories of the Russian Far East could make it possible to clarify the distribution of ancient pottery in the region. The most credible similarities come from the cultures of Amur River valley, the Osipovka and Gromatukha, Novopetrovka, Mariinskoye cultures. The earliest materials of the Houtaomuga Phase 1 generally fit into the gap between these cultures and the later North Chinese ones. The following conclusions were made as a result of the investigations: 1. The main unifying feature for all these ceramic traditions is the addition of organic materials (grounded grass and, less often, crushed shell); 2. The most typical forms of the early Neolithic in this region are flat-bottomed cylindrical or truncated-conical pots; 3. The ceramics was constructed by slab construction methods or a mold base; 4. Similar ornament motives were made with a comb stamp and various combinations of comb patterns; 5. Typical features for later ceramics are ornamentation with molded rolls, sometimes dissected or decorated with impressions. The early ceramics of the two regions is rather similar and obviously differs greatly from the pointed or round-bottomed pottery examples from Transbaikal, the Japanese archipelago, and southern China. The highlighted common features indicate a certain continuity of the traditions of ceramic production in the region.

The West Liao River Basin is the hub of ancient civilizations as well as the birthplace of rain-fed agriculture in Northern China. In the present study, based on 276 archaeological sites on the south bank of the Xar Moron River, Northeastern China, we trace the changes in prehistoric cultures as well as the shifts in the spatial and temporal patterns of human settlement in the West Liao River Basin. Location information for those sites was obtained from fieldwork. Factors such as climate change, landform evolution of the Horqin Dunefield, and subsistence strategies practiced at the sites were extracted via the meta-analysis of published literature. Our results show that the Holocene Optimum promoted the emergence of Neolithic Culture on the south bank of the Xar Moron River. Monsoon failure might have caused the periodic collapse or transformation of prehistoric cultures at (6.5, 4.7, 3.9, and 3.0) kyr B.P., leaving spaces for new cultural types to develop after these gaps. The rise and fall of different cultures was also determined by subsistence strategies. The Xiaoheyan Culture, with mixed modes of subsistence, weakened after 4.7 kyr B.P., whereas the Upper Xiajiadian Culture, supported by sheep breeding, expanded after 3.0 kyr B.P. Global positioning system data obtained from the archaeological sites reveal that cultures with different subsistence strategies occupied distinct geographic regions. Humans who subsisted on hunting and gathering resided at higher altitudes during the Paleolithic Age (1074 m a.s.l.). Mixed subsistence strategies led humans to settle down at 600–1000 m a.s.l. in the Neolithic Age. Agricultural activities caused humans to migrate to 400–800 m a.s.l. in the early Bronze Age, whereas livestock production shifted human activities to 800–1200 m a.s.l. in the late Bronze Age.

Geochemistry of the dissolved loads of the Liao River basin in northeast China under anthropogenic pressure: Chemical weathering and controlling factors

As a pivotal region for safeguarding China’s food security, Northeast China requires a quantitative evaluation of crop yield dynamics, planting structure shifts, and their interdependent mechanisms. Leveraging MODIS NPP data and remote sensing-derived crop classification data from 2001 to 2021, this study established a crop yield estimation model. By integrating the Theil–Sen median slope estimator and Mann–Kendall trend analysis, we systematically investigated the spatiotemporal characteristics of maize, rice, and soybean yields. Phased attribution analysis was further employed to quantify the effects of crop type conversions on total regional yield. The results revealed: (1) strong consistency between estimated yields and statistical yearbook data, with validation R2 values of 0.76 (maize), 0.69 (rice), and 0.81 (soybean), confirming high model accuracy; (2) significant yield growth areas that spatially coincided with the core black soil zone, underscoring the productivity-enhancing role of conservation tillage practices; (3) all three crops exhibited upward yield trends, with annual growth rates of 1.33% (maize), 1.20% (rice), and 1.68% (soybean). Spatially, high-yield maize areas were concentrated in the southeast, rice productivity peaked along river basins, and soybean yields displayed a distinct north-high-south-low gradient; (4) crop type transitions contributed to a net yield increase of 35.9177 million tons, dominated by soybean-to-maize conversions (50.41% contribution), while maize-to-soybean shifts led to a 2.61% yield reduction. This study offers actionable insights for optimizing planting structures and tailoring grain production strategies in Northeast China, while providing a methodological framework for crop yield estimation in analogous regions.

In order to alleviate the water supply–demand problem, a flood resource utilization strategy is proposed, called ‘Flood Utilization’. The strategy focuses on building large-scale water conservancy facilities and improving management measures. This paper presents the probability analysis of floodwater utilization in a confluence area, where a tributary joins a main river. Baicheng is used as the study area, where the Taoer River joins the Nenjiang River. After a large number of analyses, the main results and conclusions are as follows: First, the upper limit of available floodwater corresponds to the Taoer River's flood with a 5% probability of occurrence. Secondly, there are compensation characteristics between the two rivers which mean that the Nenjiang River can supply water to the Taoer River area. The analysis of monthly runoff, shows that there are compensation characteristics in 50.9% of the data period. The compensation rates (CRs) for the months from June to October are 0.2, 0.27, 0.25, 0.27, and 0.2, respectively. Thirdly, the differences in the runoff characteristics show that it is suitable for floodwater utilization. Finally, it is proposed that floodwater utilization measures are based on local conditions, such as the regional water storage characteristics and the runoff characteristics of the two rivers, and should be applied for different periods.

Enrichment mechanisms of selenium in topsoil and subsoil of alluvial and lacustrine basins in Northeast China.

Understanding the effects of watershed land uses (e.g., agriculture, urban industry) on stream ecological conditions is important for the management of large river basins. A total of 41 and 56 stream sites (from first to fourth order) that were under a gradient of watershed land uses were monitored in 2009 and 2010, respectively, in the Liao River Basin, Northeast China. The monitoring results showed that a total of 192 taxa belonging to four phyla, seven classes, 21 orders and 91 families were identified. The composition of macroinvertebrate community in the Liao River Basin was dominated by aquatic insect taxa (Ephemeroptera and Diptera), Oligochaeta and Molluscs. The functional feeding group GC (Gatherer/Collector) was dominant in the whole basin. Statistical results showed that sites with less watershed impacts (lower order sites) were characterized by higher current velocity and habitat score, more sensitive taxa (e.g., Ephemeroptera), and the substrate was dominated by high percentage of cobble and pebble. The sites with more impacts from agriculture and urban industry (higher order sites) were characterized by higher biochemical (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), more tolerant taxa (e.g., Chironominae), and the substrate was dominated by silt and sand. Agriculture and urban-industry activities have reduced habitat condition, increased organic pollutants, reduced macroinvertebrate abundance, diversity, and sensitive taxa in streams of the lower Liao River Basin. Restoration of degraded habitat condition and control of watershed organic pollutants could be potential management priorities for the Basin.

The Liao River drainage basin, which is one of China's seven major rivers basins, is located in northeast China. This region is characterized by important industrial bases including steel factories and oil and chemical plants, all of which have the potential to contribute pollutants to the drainage basin. In this study, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the major rivers of the Liao River drainage basin were identified and quantified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The total PAH concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 76.5μg/g (dry weight) in SPM and 32.6 to 108ng/L in surface water, respectively. Low-ring PAHs (including two- and three-ring PAHs) were dominant in all PAH samples, and the level of low-ring PAHs in surface water was higher than that in SPM. The proportion of two-ring PAHs was the highest, accounting for an average of 68.2% of the total PAHs in surface water, while the level of three-ring PAHs was the highest in SPM, with an average of 66.3%. When compared with other river systems, the concentrations of PAHs in the Liao River drainage basin were lower. Identification of the emission sources based on diagnostic ratios suggested petroleum and fossil fuel combustion were important contribution to PAHs in the study area.

BackgroundClonorchiasis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease worldwide. Past estimates showed the prevalence increased based on studies undertaken ten years or more ago. However, control strategies, changing ecology and migration may have resulted to changes in the prevalence of clonorchiasis. The purpose of the present study was to analysis the prevalence and epidemiological characterisation of clonorchiasis in Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China.Methodology/Principal FindingsA total of 4951 clinically suspected outpatients were examined from January 2009 to December 2012. Overall prevalence of clonorchiasis was 25.93% (1284/4951) by the combination strategy of the Kato-Katz technique (KK) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with a significant increase from 22.53% in 2009 to 34.25% in 2012. Apart from Daxinganling city, clonorchiasis was reported throughout Heilongjiang Province and mainly along the Songhua River and Nen River basin, with an increased annual prevalence. The annual prevalence in men increased significantly in 2012 and was higher than that in women over 4 years. A similar pattern was seen for the annual infection rate in rural and urban areas. Farm labourers accounted for the majority of cases (65.93%), with a higher prevalence than in other occupations. Consumption of freshwater fish was considered the strongest risk factor of clonorchiasis. The infection rates in the 40–49 and 50–59 years age groups showed a significant increasing trend in 2012. Cases of re-infection were common.Conclusions/SignificanceThe present study revealed that clonorchiasis remained widespread and prevalent in Heilongjiang Province. An integrated control programme is urgently needed to reduce the public health impact of clonorchiasis in this endemic area.

The Songliao River Basin, as a core area of multicultural integration in Northeast China, still lacks systematic research on the spatial distribution of religious sites and their influencing factors. This study integrates spatial pattern analysis methods (kernel density, standard deviation ellipse, imbalance index) and spatial econometric models (spatial error model, geographically weighted regression model) to explore the spatial distribution characteristics of 1288 religious sites in the basin and the influencing mechanisms of natural, socio-economic, and cultural factors. Results: (1) Religious sites in the basin show a clustered distribution of “higher density in the south than the north, one main cluster and two sub-cores”, with a northeast–southwest trend and poor balance at the prefectural-city scale. (2) Cultural factors are the core driver; cultural memory and social capital in traditional villages promote the agglomeration of religious sites and shape the “one village, multiple temples” pattern. Intangible Cultural Heritage, Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level, and religious sites form a tripartite symbiotic spatial relationship of “cultural practice—spatial carrier—institutional identity”; natural factors lay the basic pattern of spatial distribution. (3) Policy factors have a significant impact: A-rated Tourist Attractions and Performing Arts Venues show a positive effect, while museums exhibit spatial inhibition due to functional competition. (4) Economic, Population, and Transportation factors had no statistically significant effects, indicating that their spatial distribution is driven primarily by endogenous cultural mechanisms rather than external economic drivers. This study fills the gap in research on the spatial distribution of religious sites in Northeast China. By integrating multiple methods, a quantitative demonstration of the coupling mechanism of multiple factors was conducted, providing scientific support for religious cultural heritage protection policies and sustainable development strategies amid rapid urbanization.

Data and knowledge of surface water bodies (SWB), including large lakes and reservoirs (surface water areas > 1 km2) are critical for the management and sustainability of water resources. However, the existing global or national dam datasets have large georeferenced coordinate offsets for many reservoirs, and some datasets have not reported reservoirs and lakes separately. In this study, we generated China’s surface water bodies, Large Dams, Reservoirs, and Lakes (China-LDRL) dataset by analyzing all available Landsat imagery in 2019 (19,338 images) in Google Earth Engine and very-high spatial resolution imagery in Google Earth. There were ~3.52 × 106 yearlong SWB polygons in China for 2019, only 0.01 × 106 of them (0.43 %) were of large size (> 1 km2). The areas of these large SWB polygons accounted for 83.54 % of the total 214.92 × 103 km2 yearlong surface water area (SWA) in China. We identified 2,140 large dams, including 1,494 reservoir dams and 646 river dams, 1,976 large reservoirs (16.42 × 103 km2), and 3,508 large lakes (75.97 × 103 km2). In general, most of the dams and reservoirs in China were distributed in South China, East China, and Northeast China, whereas most of lakes were located in West China, the Lower Yangtze River Basin, and Northeast China. The provision of the reliable, accurate China-LDRL dataset on dams, large reservoirs and lakes will enhance our understanding of water resources management and water security in China. The China-LDRL dataset is publicly available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.16964656.v2 (Wang et al., 2022).

Runoff patterns are crucial to determine the hydrological response to climate change, especially in a seasonal frost area. In this study, multi-time runoff responses to meteoric precipitation for the period from July 2014 to June 2016 and the period from 1955 to 2010 were obtained to identify different runoff patterns in the Songhua River basin, northeast China, based on six stations. Two distinctly different runoff responses are exhibited: a periodic one in response to precipitation in the Nen River and a constant one in the Second Songhua River under different scales. Stable isotopes in the plain with diverse characteristics also supported these runoff patterns. What is more, gradual runoff relatively less sensitive to precipitation in the Second Songhua Rive was attributed to upstream dam constructions. Furthermore, the Second Songhua River contributes more water to the main stream during January to March at the seasonal scale and in the 2000s at the annual scale, with low precipitation during those periods. This study could have implications for water management in the Songhua River basin.