In the book, Changes in the Land by William Cronon, he describes the drastic changes of the environmental landscapes and natural resources in New England during the Colonial Era. According to Cronon, these drastic changes occurred as a result of human interactions, which depleted the natural resources and destroyed the ecosystems. He states that Native Americans and Europeans played a significant role in changing these landscapes. According to Cronon, Native Americans and Europeans affected the New England ecosystem very differently in their relationship with the economy and living style.
Firstly, the arrival of Europeans had significantly changed the New England ecosystem in the Colonial Era. European were driven by capitalism in Europe. When …show more content…
Their lifestyle in New England was very much dependent on settled agriculture and livestock. According to Cronon, European used deforestation and girdling method to provide space for plantation and pasture for their livestocks. However, their agricultural practices greatly affected New England landscape in the Colonial Era because it used up all the available nutrients in the soil and the soil can't grow crops any more. Europeans practice the gridling method to bring back nutrient to the soil. “It return at least some of their nutrients to soil” (Cronon, 116). Girdling is a process in which the barks of a an tree was removed in order to prevent the leaves from growing and eventually killing them. Europeans believes that by using the girdling method, it would bring nutrient back the soil, however, girdling had a devastating effect on the forest because it tore up a large amount of soil with its roots. Also, the use of deforestation caused the change in soil erosion, climate, food sources, and flooding. It also destroyed the Native Americans hunting grounds and the habitat of the animals. Thus. this forever changed the ecosystem in New England.
Meanwhile, Europeans were driven by capitalism. Native Americans were driven by the subsistence economy. Native Americans relied on natural resources to provide their basic need, through hunting and gathering. They did not utilize
Firstly, the arrival of Europeans had significantly changed the New England ecosystem in the Colonial Era. European were driven by capitalism in Europe. When …show more content…
Their lifestyle in New England was very much dependent on settled agriculture and livestock. According to Cronon, European used deforestation and girdling method to provide space for plantation and pasture for their livestocks. However, their agricultural practices greatly affected New England landscape in the Colonial Era because it used up all the available nutrients in the soil and the soil can't grow crops any more. Europeans practice the gridling method to bring back nutrient to the soil. “It return at least some of their nutrients to soil” (Cronon, 116). Girdling is a process in which the barks of a an tree was removed in order to prevent the leaves from growing and eventually killing them. Europeans believes that by using the girdling method, it would bring nutrient back the soil, however, girdling had a devastating effect on the forest because it tore up a large amount of soil with its roots. Also, the use of deforestation caused the change in soil erosion, climate, food sources, and flooding. It also destroyed the Native Americans hunting grounds and the habitat of the animals. Thus. this forever changed the ecosystem in New England.
Meanwhile, Europeans were driven by capitalism. Native Americans were driven by the subsistence economy. Native Americans relied on natural resources to provide their basic need, through hunting and gathering. They did not utilize