Table of Contents

Introduction by David Lowenthal

A Note on the Text

MAN AND NATURE

Preface

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTORY

Natural Advantages of the Territory of the Roman Empire

Physical Decay of that Territory and of other parts of the Old World

Causes of the Decay

New School of Geographers

Reaction of Man upon Nature

Observation of Nature

Comical and Geological

Influences Geographical

Influence of Man

Uncertainty of our Meteorological Knowledge

Mechanical Effects produced by Man on the surface of the Earth

Importance and Possibility of Physical Restoration

Stability of Nature

Restoration of Disturbed Harmonies

Destructiveness of Man

Human and Brute Action Compared

Physical Improvement

Arrest of Physical Decay of New Countries

Forms and Formations most liable to Physical Degradation

Physical Decay of New Countries

Corrupt Influence of Private Corporations, Note.

CHAPTER II: TRANSFER, MODIFICATION, AND EXTIRPATION OF VEGETABLE AND OF ANIMAL SPECIES

Modern Geography embraces Organic Life

Transfer of Vegetable Life

Foreign Plants grown in the United States

American Plants grown in Europe

Modes of Introduction of Foreign Plants

Vegetables, how affected by transfer to Foreign Soils

Extirpation of Vegetables

Origin of Domestic Plants

Organic Life as a Geological and Geographical Agency

Number of Quadrupeds in the United States

Origin and Transfer of Domestic Quadrupeds

Extirpation of Quadrupeds

Numbers of Birds in the United States

Birds as Sowers and Consumers of Seeds, and as Destroyers of Insects

Diminution and Extirpation of Birds

Introduction of Birds

Utility of Insects and Worms

Introduction of Insects

Destruction of Insects

Reptiles

Destruction of Fish

Introduction and Breeding of Fish

Extirpation of Aquatic Animals

Minute Organisms

CHAPTER III: THE WOODS

The Habitable Earth originally Wooded

The Forest does not furnish Food for Man

First Removal of the Woods

Effects of Fire on Forest Soil

Effects of the Destruction of the Forest

Electrical Influence of Trees

Chemical Influence of the Forest

Influence of the Forest, considered as Inorganic Matter, on Temperature: a, Absorbing and Emitting Surface; b, Trees as Conductors of Heat; c, Trees in Summer and in Winter; d, Dead Products of Trees; e, Trees as a Shelter to Grounds to the leeward of them; f, Trees as a Protection against Malaria

The Forest, as Inorganic Matter, tends to mitigate extremes.

Trees as Organisms: Specific Heat

Total Influence of the Forest on Temperature

Influence of Forests on the Humidity of the Air and the Earth: a, as Inorganic Matter; b, as Organic-Wood Mosses and Fungi-Flow of Sap-Absorption and Exhalation of Moisture by Trees

Balance of Conflicting Influences

Influence of the Forest on Temperature and Precipitation

Influence of the Forest on the Humidity of the Soil

Its Influence on the Flow of Springs

The Forest in Winter General Consequences of the Destruction of the Forest Condition of the Forest, and its Literature in different Countries

The Influence of the Forest on Inundations

Destructive Action of Torrents

Transporting Power of Rivers

The Po and its Deposits

Mountain Slides

Protection against the Fall of Rocks and Avalanches by Trees

Principal Causes of the Destruction of the Forest

American Forest Trees

Special Causes of the Destruction of European Woods

Royal Forests and Game Laws

Small Forest Plants, and Vitality of Seeds

Utility of the Forest

The Forests of Europe

Forests of the United States and Canada

The Economy of the Forest

European and American Trees Compared

Sylviculture

Instability of American Life

CHAPTER IV: THE WATERS

Land artificially won from the Waters: a, Exclusion of the Sea by Diking; b, Draining of Lakes and Marshes; c, Geographical Influence of such Operations

Lowering of Lakes

Mountain Lakes

Climatic Effects of Draining Lakes and Marshes

Geographical and Climatic Effects of Aqueducts, Reservoirs, and Canals

Surface and Underdraining, and their Climatic and Geographical Effects

Irrigation and its Climatic and Geographical Effects

Inundations and Torrents: a, River Embankments; b, Floods of the Ardèche; c, Crushing Force of Torrents; d, Inundations of 1856 in France; e, Remedies against Inundations—Consequences if the Nile had been confined by Lateral Dikes

Deposits of the Tuscan Rivers

Improvements in the Val di Chiana Improvements in the Tuscan Maremma

Obstruction of River Mouths

Subterranean Waters

Artesian Wells

Artificial Springs

Economizing Precipitation

CHAPTER V: THE SANDS

Origin of Sand

Sand now carried down to the Sea

The Sands of Egypt and the adjacent Desert

The Suez Canal

The Sands of Egypt

Coast Dunes and Sand Plains

Sand Banks

Dunes on Coast of America

Dunes of Western Europe

Formation of Dunes

Character of Dune Sand

Interior Structure of Dunes

Form of Dunes

Geological Importance of Dunes

Inland Dunes

Age, Character, and Permanence of Dunes

Use of Dunes as Barrier against the Sea

Encroachments of the Sea

The Liimfjord

Coasts of Schleswig-Holstein, Holland, and France

Drifting of Dune Sands

Dunes of Gascony

Dunes of Denmark

Dunes of Prussia

Control of Dunes by Man

Artificial Formation of Dunes

Protection of Dunes

Trees suitable for Dune Plantations

Extent of Dunes in Europe

Dune Vineyards of Cap Breton

Removal of Dunes

Inland Sand Plains

The Landes of Gascony

The Belgian Campine

Sands and Steppes of Eastern Europe

Advantages of Reclaiming the Sands

Government Works of Improvement

CHAPTER VI: PROJECTED OR POSSIBLE GEOGRAPHICAL CHANGES BY MAN

Cutting of Marine Isthmuses

The Suez Canal

Canal across Isthmus of Darien

Canals to the Dead Sea

Maritime Canals in Greece

Canal of Saves

Cape Cod

Canal Diversion of the Nile

Changes in the Caspian

Improvements in North American Hydrography

Diversion of the Rhine

Draining of the Zuidersee

Waters of the Karst

Subterranean Waters of Greece

Soil below Rock

Covering Rock with Earth

Wadies of Arabia Petraea

Incidental Effects of Human Action

Resistance to great Natural Forces

Effects of Mining

Espy's Theories

River Sediment

Nothing small in Nature

Index