Chapter 16 Section 6 Understanding of the consequences of deforestation

Forests are closely related to human survival and development.Today, protecting forests and maintaining ecological balance has become a major concern of people all over the world.In fact, as early as 2,000 years ago, Chinese scholars had already noticed the serious consequences of deforestation. "Mencius Gaozi Pian" said: "The wood of Niushan is beautiful. It is also beautiful in the suburbs of a big country. It is the rest of the day and night, and the rain and dew. It is not without sprouts. The tiller [nie Nie] is born, and the cattle and sheep are grazed by it, so it is like the other Zhuo [zhuo Zhuo].Niushan is located in the southeast of the ancient Qi State, which is now Linzinan, Shandong.There used to be lush forests, but by the time Mencius lived, it had become a barren mountain "like the other".Mencius believes that this is not due to the poor natural conditions of Niushan and the inability of vegetation to reproduce naturally, but due to the continuous felling of the forests here and the waste of cattle, sheep and livestock.

Ancient Chinese scholars also noticed that once the forest is destroyed, not only the forest resources will be exhausted, but also a large number of wild animals will be destroyed. "Xunzi Encouraging Learning" wrote: "The grass and trees are growing, and the animals are swarming." It is believed that only by following the laws of nature and maintaining the habitat of animals can animals reproduce and people's lives can be more than sufficient. Scholars in the Han Dynasty have repeatedly reminded people that destroying forests will bring serious disasters to biological resources and cause great harm. The book "Huainanzi" not only pointed out that "building trees as a platform, burning forests for fields, and exhausting lakes for fishing" is an important reason why "everything does not multiply", but also "burning forests for hunting" and "burning big trees" are related to the subjugation of the country. together.

In the Western Jin Dynasty, people had detailed descriptions of the relationship between deforestation and floods.In the second year of Xianning (276 A.D.), Du Yu went to Emperor Wu of Jin Dynasty to describe the evil consequences of deforestation in detail.He pointed out that in the southeast region, due to the fire fields, the vegetation in many places was destroyed, and the soil erosion was very serious. The artificial water conservancy facilities and ponds were also damaged by sedimentation. , It brought "special drama" losses to the agricultural production there, not only "the five grains were not harvested", but also "the occupation was lost".

Song Dynasty scholar Wei Xian [Xian Xian] further clarified the relationship between forest destruction and flooding through the investigation and research of flood disasters in Siming, Zhejiang (now Ningbo).He said in the book "Simingta Mountains and Waters Convenience Notes": Simingta Mountain used to have "giant trees in tall forests, and bamboos and trees along the river and flatlands are densely luxuriant". , so "not much shed".Later, due to the high price of timber, people felled each other. As a result, "there are no mountains and no children, and the bamboos and trees on the flat ground are empty." If the soil stays, the floating sand will flow down with the flow, silting up the stream, up to three or four feet high, and stretching for two or three miles.”This view is very correct.

In practice, people's understanding of forest water conservation became more and more profound, so that when the governor of Anhui in the Qing Dynasty was enthusiastic about advocating the destruction of forests and land reclamation, the experienced Anhui "shack people" firmly opposed it.They stated the reason: "The undeveloped mountain has solid soil and rocks, dense grass and trees, and rotten leaves can accumulate two or three inches after a few years. Every day, rain flows from tree to leaf, from leaf to soil, and the rocks are dripping into springs. The water is also slow, and the water is submerged but the soil does not follow; the water is slow, so the low fields will not be affected by it. However, if there is no rain for half a month, the high fields will still be irrigated by it." On the contrary, if "the mountain is shaved with an ax, and the pine is plowed with a hoe. If the rain is not over, the sand and stones will flow down and pour into the gully." When the water in the lowland farmland dries up, there will be no water source on the mountain that can continue to supply.

The overturning of the previous car, the lesson of the latter.We must remember the experience and lessons of our predecessors, manage and protect forests, and insist on stopping deforestation.