Deforestation during the Roman
period was a result of the geographical expansion of the Roman Empire,
with its increased population, large-scale agriculture,
and extraordinary economic development. The most basic building supply in the Roman
time period was wood. Trees were cut to house increasing populations throughout
the Roman Empire. While some Mediterranean houses were built with brick and stone,
roof structures, covered with tiles, as well as the floors in multistory
apartment buildings were often made of wood. Wood was a primary source of
heating and used extensively in industry. Wood fuel constituted about 90 percent of the
consumption overall, and was a major factor in the Roman deforestation epidemic.
Also another major contributor to the environmental degradation and barrier to
the regeneration of forests was the grazing
of domestic animals. Animals grazed and destroyed
land areas unsuitable for cultivation. With
a demand for resources and food, constant pressure was put upon the land and
soil to provide food for a growing economy. Regular clearing and plowing
exhausted existing soil, which eventually became infertile. Runoff from
deforested hillsides increased the amount of silt and impeded the flow of water
into agricultural areas.
Eventually, due to the Mediterranean climate and the increased exhaustion of soil nutrients from hundreds of years of harvesting, yields shrunk. Rainwater that had been locked into the soil through vegetation and forests was now running off too quickly.
http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/Key+Concept+2.2
Charlene Wilts
Eventually, due to the Mediterranean climate and the increased exhaustion of soil nutrients from hundreds of years of harvesting, yields shrunk. Rainwater that had been locked into the soil through vegetation and forests was now running off too quickly.
http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/Key+Concept+2.2
Charlene Wilts