Deforestation
During the Classical Period, the most basic supply for building was wood. With a growing population throughout Europe, Eurasia, and Asia, trees were cut down in order to build their various structures. As this happened, the amount of wooded areas decreased. Agriculture was a must for many cultures during the Classical period so large portions of forest would be cleared in order to make room for the agriculture. As the trees were cut down, their seed would fall to the ground. You might think that the seeds would then grow back into trees creating a cycle that would in turn keep the trees around, but livestock would eat those seeds before they could grow. This left the land cleared.
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
Sebastian Archard
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
Sebastian Archard
Desertification
Desertification is one of many results of many human desires. The growth of the population contributes to wood being cut down to build cities, houses, etc. When agriculture is needed, large wooded areas are cut down in order to make room for it. 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. Once deforestation is complete, large areas of land are left empty. 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.
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
Sebastian Archard
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
Sebastian Archard
Soil Erosion
As the demand for food and resources increased, the soil in which these resources were under constant pressure. The soil would eventually become infertile because of how exhausted it would become from constant plowing and clearing. When it would rain, runoff would rush down hills that were previously deforested which increased the amount of silt and would prevent it from reaching areas of agriculture. Because of various climates, the soil nutrients had depleted and harvests were now not possible in that area.
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
Sebastian Archard
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
Sebastian Archard
Silted Rivers
When water ways such as rivers or streams mix with extra silt, they are called "silted rivers". The build up of excess silt in the water can cause flooding, which can ruin agricultural land. Another negative impact from silted rivers is that it limits rivers to how much water it can hold (volume wise). During the Classical era, there were many incidents involving silted rivers in East Asia, Africa, and in the Americas. For example, during the 2nd century C.E., the developing of the Olmec tribe was halted due to silted rivers.
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
Sebastian Archard
http://freeman-pedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf/363722508/Deforestation%20in%20Roman%20Empire%20FREEMANPEDIA.pdf
Sebastian Archard