85
Chapter 5
Values, Alterations
and Degradation of the
Natural Landscape
5.1 MAN’S HISTORICAL INFLUENCE
ON THE BIOSPHERE
In contrast with the rest of the biological populations of the planet, man
(Homo sapiens) has based his survival rather on the modification of the
environment than on his adaptation to it. Human populations have brought
about significant changes to the natural landscape with their activities; they
have caused the extinction of many plant and animal species and major
disturbances to the biosphere functions.
The civilizations that flourished in various places and eras found themselves in greater or smaller competition with the natural environment.
Some of them maintained a partially harmonious coexistence with nature,
e.g. the American Indians, whereas the civilizations that spread and predominated par excellence, especially European civilization, operated on the
basis of the subjugation of the rest of nature to human desires. The demand
for continuously greater security and comfort on the part of man caused
the phenomena of multiform environmental modification in the various
eras. The adverse side effects, which were an inextricable consequence of
that process, gradually acquired grave dimensions, especially during the
last two centuries, with the serious degradation of extended areas and the
emergence of great environmental problems at a global level.
Biosphere is the planetary ecosystem, and it exhibits great complexity in
relation to its structure and function. It has exceptional diversity in relation
to both the physical and chemical substratum and the biological content,
since it contains tens of millions of flora and fauna species that come from
many more species that lived in the recent and distant past. This system is
distinguished for its remarkable stamina in disturbances. Its stability successfully resisted different geological or physicochemical factors during the
geological ages, until the emergence of man.
By the prehistoric era, human activity had already been a source of disturbance for the biosphere and caused continuous degradation that was first manifested by the decrease of natural vegetation and biological diversity. Man’s
DOI: 10.1201/b14609-5
Chapter 5
Values, Alterations
and Degradation of the
Natural Landscape
5.1 MAN’S HISTORICAL INFLUENCE
ON THE BIOSPHERE
In contrast with the rest of the biological populations of the planet, man
(Homo sapiens) has based his survival rather on the modification of the
environment than on his adaptation to it. Human populations have brought
about significant changes to the natural landscape with their activities; they
have caused the extinction of many plant and animal species and major
disturbances to the biosphere functions.
The civilizations that flourished in various places and eras found themselves in greater or smaller competition with the natural environment.
Some of them maintained a partially harmonious coexistence with nature,
e.g. the American Indians, whereas the civilizations that spread and predominated par excellence, especially European civilization, operated on the
basis of the subjugation of the rest of nature to human desires. The demand
for continuously greater security and comfort on the part of man caused
the phenomena of multiform environmental modification in the various
eras. The adverse side effects, which were an inextricable consequence of
that process, gradually acquired grave dimensions, especially during the
last two centuries, with the serious degradation of extended areas and the
emergence of great environmental problems at a global level.
Biosphere is the planetary ecosystem, and it exhibits great complexity in
relation to its structure and function. It has exceptional diversity in relation
to both the physical and chemical substratum and the biological content,
since it contains tens of millions of flora and fauna species that come from
many more species that lived in the recent and distant past. This system is
distinguished for its remarkable stamina in disturbances. Its stability successfully resisted different geological or physicochemical factors during the
geological ages, until the emergence of man.
By the prehistoric era, human activity had already been a source of disturbance for the biosphere and caused continuous degradation that was first manifested by the decrease of natural vegetation and biological diversity. Man’s
DOI: 10.1201/b14609-5