Ancient Chinese feng tian and its modern ecological value in global civilizations

Abstract

Feng tian is a unique land-use practice in Chinese agricultural history. It first appeared in the water-rich regions of southern China. People stabilized floating mats formed by wild rice and enriched them with silt, creating a base for cultivating crops such as rice. From the early 7^th century to the mid-to-late 14^th century, feng tian was widely practiced in southern China. However, as polders expanded and reduced lake areas, wild rice habitats gradually diminished. As a result, feng tian declined and was eventually forgotten by later generations. Since the 1980s, Chinese scientists have conducted several studies on floating cultivation. From growing rice on water to developing floating farms and ecological islands, these efforts have revitalized the ancient tradition. Such innovations increase crop yields but also help reduce problems like water eutrophication. From a global agricultural civilization perspective, China’s feng tian stands out among other forms of floating fields for its early origins and distinctive characteristics in construction methods, soil fertility, and crop types. It reflects the remarkable ecological wisdom of ancient Chinese people.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

feng tian / wild rice / rice cultivation / floating mats / agricultural heritage / ecological wisdom

Highlight

	● Feng tian is a unique type of farmland in pre-modern China, originating in southern China around the 4th century.
	● It was first built on floating mats formed by wild rice ( Zizania latifolia ), later improved into artificial floating fields by constructing bamboo and wood rafts filled with wild rice and mud.
	● Compared with floating fields in Mexico, Kashmir, and Southeast Asia, China’s version uniquely used wild rice, a high-quality aquatic green manure rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
	● With the development of modern technology, feng tian evolved from water-based farmlands into ecological islands and is now transforming into floating communities.

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