Changes in our Land

When we look at our world today, all we see around us are roads and buildings, docks and bridges. Can you bring yourself to look at our land from a different perspective. It is evident that what our land looks like today is nothing to what it was before Europeans settled. Though there is no exact way to know what the land would look like, the professionals at Harvard Forest have given us an idea of what it may have looked like. 

1. Pre-Settlement Forest
2. An Early Settler Clears a Homestead
3. Height of Forest Clearing and Agriculture
4. Farm Abandonment
5. "Old-Field" White Pine Forest on Abandoned Farmland
6. "Old-Field" White Pine is Succeeded by Hardwoods
7. A Vigorously Growing Forest of Hardwoods
8. The Modern Forest Landscape

It is evident that the change took place upon settlement and the way the Europeans adapted to the new land. If you are interested in more information, the Harvard Forest website explains the distinctions in the changes throughout the year.