我国境内丝绸之路生态环境的变化

依据典籍、文献，研究了中国境内丝绸之路沿线生态环境的变迁。认为丝路开通前，各地山地多为茂密森林所覆盖；草原除渭北及陇东黄土高原外，其余地区少有开发；荒漠地区受人类活动影响不大。丝路开通后，山地森林逐渐从东向西减少，到清代末年减少的数量最大，使甘肃中部地区大多变为光山秃岭，相应河西走廊的森林也受到较大破坏，而新疆山地的森林受影响相对要小；陕西和甘肃的草原地带大多垦为农田，水土流失加剧；荒漠由于屯田，使一些绿洲得到发展，可又因为战争和利用水资源不当，造成河流改道或干涸。

Changes of ecological environment at the silk road in China

The change of ecological environment at the silk road in china was studied by examination of ancient books and records. Now the following result has been known. Before silk Road was opened, the mountainous regions along the road were covered with dense forests;The steppes except in Weibei and Longdong plateaus, were less reclaimed; The desert area was rarely affected. After opening Silk Road,forests were reduced gradually from east to west.In later period of the Qing Dynasty, the middle part of Gansu was changed into bare hills. Forest of Hexi corridor was destroyed heavily. However, Forests in Xingjiang were not seriously impaired. Most steppe area of Shaanxi and Gansu was reclaimed to cultivated land, leading to water and soil erosion severely. Since the stationed troops opened up the wasteland, the oases were distinctly developed. Because of wars and unsuitable utilization of water resources, river courses were forced to change; lakes reduced or dried up,vegetation declined. All these changes made lots of prosperous cities and towns destroyed. Oases progressively changed to desert.