Study Guide (1) PDF

Key Concepts & Terms Phytogeographic Region ○ Definition: Region defined by plant species distribution. ○ Significance: Local climate and soil shape distinct plant types in areas like coastal vs. inland forests. Pleistocene Epoch ○ Defi...

Key Concepts & Terms Phytogeographic Region ○ Definition: Region defined by plant species distribution. ○ Significance: Local climate and soil shape distinct plant types in areas like coastal vs. inland forests. Pleistocene Epoch ○ Definition: Ice age period (2.6 million-11,700 years ago). ○ Significance: Shaped New England's rivers, lakes, and landscapes like Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River. Laurentide Ice Sheet ○ Definition: Massive ice sheet covering North America, including New England. ○ Significance: Left behind fertile landforms like Cape Cod, aiding early human settlement. Archaic People ○ Definition: Early Native Americans (8,000-2,000 BCE). ○ Significance: Adapted to post-ice age environment for hunting, fishing, and gathering. Susquehanna People ○ Definition: Early Native Americans skilled in agriculture. ○ Significance: Influenced cultural practices in New England through agriculture, hunting, and fishing. Early Woodland People ○ Definition: Native Americans (1,000 BCE) known for pottery and early farming. ○ Significance: Transitioned to farming, supporting permanent villages in New England. Indigenous Knowledge ○ Definition: Understanding of ecosystems and land management. ○ Significance: Promoted sustainable practices like the Three Sisters farming method. Three Sisters ○ Definition: Farming technique involving corn, beans, and squash. ○ Significance: Created a self-sustaining agricultural system, enhancing food security. Culture  ○ Definition: The practices, beliefs, and systems of a group. ○ Significance: Indigenous cultures viewed themselves as caretakers of the land, influencing sustainable practices. “Seasons of Want and Plenty” ○ Definition: Cycle of abundance and scarcity in nature. ○ Significance: Influenced food storage and resource management to align with seasonal cycles. Abenaki People ○ Definition: Native American tribes in New England and parts of Canada. ○ Significance: Skilled in farming, hunting, and fishing, thriving in diverse environments. “Asters and the Goldenrod” ○ Definition: Poem by Mary Oliver about New England’s natural beauty. ○ Significance: Emphasizes the connection between people and the land in New England’s identity. Tragedy of the Commons ○ Definition: Overuse of shared resources due to individual self-interest. ○ Significance: Led to environmental degradation in New England, requiring regulatory intervention. Raup & Donahue Theses ○ Definition: Theories on environmental influence on cultural change. ○ Significance: Raup emphasized climate’s role, while Donahue argued social factors were more important. Puritan Culture ○ Definition: Religious and social practices of early European settlers. ○ Significance: Puritans used land for agriculture and settlement, drastically altering New England’s landscape. Hiving Sequencing & European Settlement ○ Definition: Land allotment system for European settlers. ○ Significance: Created town boundaries, influencing New England’s environmental and social development. “Soldier Townships” ○ Definition: Land grants given to soldiers. ○ Significance: Led to land clearing for farming, impacting resource management in New England.  Merino Sheep Craze ○ Definition: Introduction of Merino sheep for wool production. ○ Significance: Caused overgrazing and deforestation, harming New England’s ecology. Industrial Revolution ○ Definition: Shift to industrial economies in the 19th century. ○ Significance: Led to urbanization and pollution, especially in cities like Lowell, impacting rivers like the Merrimack. Transcendentalism ○ Definition: Philosophical movement emphasizing nature and self-reliance. ○ Significance: Critiqued industrialization, influencing environmental conservation and nature-focused philosophy. Merrimack River & Connecticut River ○ Definition: Major rivers in New England. ○ Significance: Crucial for transportation, economy, and early conservation efforts due to pollution concerns. Watershed ○ Definition: Area of land draining into a specific body of water. ○ Significance: Important for water quality management, as seen in the Connecticut River watershed. 1972 Clean Water Act ○ Definition: U.S. law aimed at reducing water pollution. ○ Significance: Improved water quality in New England’s rivers, including the Connecticut River. Elinor Ostrom’s Rules for Governing the Commons ○ Definition: Principles for sustainably managing shared resources. ○ Significance: Influenced resource management practices in New England, focusing on community regulation. Jane Goodall ○ Definition: Primatologist known for studying chimpanzees. ○ Significance: Raised awareness for ecosystem protection, influencing global environmental movements. Robin Kimmerer ○ Definition: Indigenous scientist focused on ecological restoration.  ○ Significance: Integrated Indigenous knowledge into modern environmental practices, including conservation in New England. Henry David Thoreau ○ Definition: Philosopher and writer, author of Walden. ○ Significance: Promoted simple living and nature’s value, influencing New England conservation efforts. Essay Prompts & Key Points Pleistocene Epoch & Archaic People ○ Movement of People: Ice-age shaped waterways and fertile lands, guiding early migration patterns. Indigenous Adaptation to Seasons ○ Adaptation: Used seasonal hunting, fishing, and the Three Sisters farming technique for year-round food security. Indigenous View of the Land ○ Relationship: Viewed land as a caretaker, promoting sustainable practices like controlled burns and efficient farming. Indigenous Knowledge’s Impact ○ Modern Practices: Offers sustainable land management insights, influencing current conservation and restoration efforts. Tragedy of the Commons in New England ○ Regulation Evolution: Introduced hunting, fishing, and land management restrictions to prevent resource depletion.