In Northwest China’s Loess Plateau, an area roughly the size of France and the birthplace of Chinese civilization, agriculture and grazing practices over thousands of years have transformed the once lush forests into a dry and degraded ecosystem. As the yellow loess soil eroded, the silt raised the riverbed, causing seasonal flooding by the Yellow River. This, in turn, is bringing drought and famine. The Yellow River, also known as “China’s Sorrow” has flooded more than 1,500 times. For more information, please check
Asia Society.
