A Political Ecology of Forest Exploitation in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan : 1800 – 1950 (original) (raw)

2005

Abstract

Historical literature written about logging activity in Lower Michigan and the Great Lakes region between 1800-1950 is analyzed within two political ecology frameworks, Yapa’s ‘nexus of relations’ and Blaikie’s ‘chain of explanation.’ The dominant character of each of the factors composing the nexus of relations; social, cultural, economic, academic, ecological, technical, and political, during the period from 1800-1950, were identified and placed within the chains of explanation. Four distinct time periods were delineated based on the character of each of these factors encompassing settlement of the region; the establishment and beginning of the logging era; the intense exploitation of the forests; and the downfall of the logging industry. By interpreting the changes in each factor over time, linkages were drawn between the factors and landscape degradation that occurred as a result of logging activity. Through this research we found that intense modification of the Great Lakes for...

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