Phased human-nature interactions for the past 10 000 years in the Hexi Corridor, China

Abstract Located in the eastern section of ancient Silk Road, Hexi Corridor is a crucial area where and western civilizations met. Previous studies mainly explore human-nature interactions at particular period, there lack phased interaction long time scales. Here we present relationships patterns between humans nature region over past 10 000 years distinguish stages mechanisms interaction, which can be divided into three periods region. 000–4000 BP period weak when human activities natural processes are primarily non-interactive. The evolution culture advances its way rather than by environmental changes, those early cultures do not strongly impact environment. During 4000–2000 BP, climate change becomes dominant factor adaptation, mitigation, migration region, extreme short-term changes often social system, intensifying on humans. Therefore, it strong (nature domination). From 2000 to 0 dominate manifested surface processes, lake evolution, regional water resource changes. At same time, backfire humans, causing series crises. Overall, (human We propose model, interaction—strong domination)—strong domination) validated other regions world for scale interactions.