Colonial forestry practices

Colonial forestry practices refer to European strategies for managing forests during the colonial period, mainly from the 15th to 20th centuries. Colonizers exploited timber and resources for building and trade, often prioritizing profit over sustainability. They implemented practices such as clear-cutting and monoculture plantations, which dramatically altered ecosystems. Forests were seen as economic assets, leading to deforestation and habitat loss. Over time, these practices sparked concerns about environmental degradation, leading to conservation movements and a reevaluation of forestry management in the 20th century, focusing on sustainability and ecological balance.