Environmental Damage
by Daniel Nakazono
Deforestation
Rome was the main culprit of deforestation. This is mainly because they relied on wood for many of their industries. During this time the Roman empire was expanding and more homes were needed. The main building material of homes was wood. This decreased the size of the forests. Also wood was used for energy and heat. It was used for about 90% of their heating. Another reason for deforestation was the increasing need for agriculture. In order for more land for crops, clearing of forests had to be done. Cattle, sheep, goats, and swine were the main livestock present in the culture. Herders cut down large amounts of trees for land for the animals to graze upon. The animals such as the swine at all of the seeds the plants and trees needed for reproduction, therefore no vegetation grew back. Another major cause of deforestation was Rome's specialty in ship building which used a lot of wood. Deforestation has effects such as loss of plants and due to the destroyed home to many animals, they could not support themselves and either moved on or died. However aside from ecological view, deforestation affected the social network of trade energy, work as shipbuilding and many other things were affected.
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Desertification
Desertification is a result of many human desires. A growing population leads to more houses made of wood, and energy in the form of fire. Also the need for food, land is cleared for agriculture. Due to deforestation entire forests are cleared leaving open land. Due to agricultural needs for the increasing population, land is continually cleared and overused to the point of exhaustion. Eventually Huge areas of once abundant land is barren. Winds blow the dead top ground through the air creating sand. Eventually a desert is formed and continues to grow due to the continued abuse of the land. Eventually the desert becomes a barrier for commerce and movement, and it invades into the already civilized land, causing the downfall of cities.
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
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Soil Erosion
With the growing population, there is a constant growing need for food and agriculture. Much like deforestation, the recourses are overused to provide for a growing need for staples. Over prosperous growing seasons, crops grow and are harvested. This puts pressure on the soil. Eventually the soil has been overused and no nutrients are left to support new crops. Because no new crops can be grown only dirt is left, which eventually dries up and is blown around by wind. After the soil is exhausted, the agriculturalists move on to other lands where they too eventually exhaust the soil and it dries up and the wind erodes it away. This eventually leads to less crops and food for a growing society which in turn led to famine and lack of food, contributing to the decline of the empire.
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
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Silted Rivers
Silted rivers are waters ways that have become flooded with extra silt. This extra silt can build up and cause flooding and carry less water. Around 300 B.C.E. The Olmecs faced this issue hindering the development of their society.
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
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