Impact of European Settlement

Impact of European Settlement. . , Building a New Life , The continued arrival of new inhabitants to Upper Canada, greatly impacted the region. The once great forest was cleared, destroying habitats that had existed for centuries. In this area, much of the tree cover was lost due to the development of London, although the city is still known as the Forest City., The process of acquiring a land patent in Upper Canada was long and arduous. In the early 1800s, Colonel Thomas Talbot was responsible for overseeing settlers in Southern Ontario. Не decided who received a "Ticket of Location" in the settlement and imposed settlement duties that were to be completed within three years. These duties were the first of many ways the settlers transformed the region. They were required to clear and fence five acres of land, build and occupy a house, and clear space for a road along the front of their lot. As they worked hard to reach their goals, little thought was given to preserving habitats or the lasting effect their work would have., Clearing the land and road allowances were not only requirements of ownership, but also a means of opening the land for agriculture and the movement of supplies and people. Trees were sometimes "girdled" and left to die and rot, then crops were planted amongst them. At the time, few settlers reflected on the species being removed, or the loss of natural stands of trees- unless they were retaining woodlots for fuel, construction, or maple sugar., Unwanted trees were often burned, and the ashes kept to make lye soap, or sold to produce potash. Potash was a major export in the 19th century and was used in fertilizer. Leftover tree stumps could also be used to form fences., The first "shanties" or cabins, were built from felled trees using simple tools, and acted as temporary residences for early settlers. Once settlers were established, more permanent log homes and outbuildings were built. Many Carolinian tree species were well suited for log or frame structures. Settlers selected old-growth trees that were straight with few limbs, such as rock elm, which are now a rare species., Throughout the 1800s the population in London and Middlesex County grew quickly. To meet community needs amenities like churches, schools, and general stores were established at major crossroads. The speed at which trees were removed did not allow for propagation and regrowth, and species began to disappear. As the population grew along the Thames River the forest was cleared, wetlands drained, and instances of severe flooding increased., Corduroy Roads , When settlers first arrived there were few roads on which to travel. Most travelled by foot, following trails first established by Indigenous Peoples. Swamps, streams, and other impediments were often unmarked on survey maps, making travel even more difficult. With an abundance of available timber settlers created corduroy roads to overcome these obstacles, by placing logs crosswise on the ground and filling the gaps with dirt. An example has been recreated beside this boardwalk.