Tropical Pioneers: Human Agency and Ecological Change in the Highlands of Sri Lanka, 1800-1900 (Series in Ecology and History)

This is a documentation of the conversion of a tropical rainforest biome and the collision between what previously had been more discreet ecological zones within South Asia. By 1900 plantations and agriculture had removed virtually the entire primary forest cover of Sri Lanka. "In 1800, the highlands of Sri Lanka had some of the most biologically diverse tropical rainforests in the world. By 1900, only a few craggy corners and mountain caps had been spared the firestick. Highland villagers, through the extension of slash-and-burn agriculture, and British managers, through the creation of plantations - first of coffee, then cinchona, and finally tea - had removed virtually the entire primary forest cover." "Tropical Pioneers documents the conversion of a tropical rainforest biome and the collision between what previously had been more discrete ecological zones within South Asia. The author demonstrates that profound ecological transformations occurred in the highlands of Sri Lanka during the nineteenth century and suggests that the integration of tropical ecological zones is an important theme for historians to investigate elsewhere."--Jacket. "In 1800, the highlands of Sri Lanka had some of the most biologically diverse tropical rainforests in the world. By 1900, only a few craggy corners and mountain caps had been spared the firestick. Highland villagers, through the extension of slash-and-burn agriculture, and British managers, through the creation of plantations - first of coffee, then cinchona, and finally tea - had removed virtually the entire primary forest cover.". "Tropical Pioneers documents the conversion of a tropical rainforest biome and the collision between what previously had been more discrete ecological zones within South Asia. The author demonstrates that profound ecological transformations occurred in the highlands of Sri Lanka during the nineteenth century and suggests that the integration of tropical ecological zones is an important theme for historians to investigate elsewhere."--BOOK JACKET. 1. The Natural Ecology Of The Island And Processes Of Early Ecological Change -- 2. The Highland Ecologies In The Early Nineteenth Century -- 3. Early-nineteenth Century Processes Of Change -- 4. The Transformation Of The Middle Highlands -- 5. Into The Upeer Highlands -- Appendixes: -- 1. Sir Joseph Banks, Director Of Kew Gardens, On The Principles On Which A Colonial Botanic Garden In Ceylon Should Be Founded -- 2. Sir Joseph Bank's Instructions To William Kerr, First Gardener Of The Royal Botanic Garden, Ceylon -- 3. Burning The Forest -- 4. Cinchona Harveting -- 5. Superintendents, Assistant Directors, And Directors Of The Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya, In The Nineteenth Century. James L.a. Webb, Jr. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 207-233) And Index.