This article presents some local understandings of ecological history in a semi-arid area of Zimbabwe as an exploration of how changes in land use that reflect both local initiative and state planning have transformed the hydrology of local catchments of heavy clay ‘mopani soils’ and greatly accelerated soil erosion.

It was not solely the natural environment that determined which areas large countries and colonial powers of the 18th century used for the purposes of tar making, but also other aspects: political, military, economic and colonial.

The Kautiliya Arthasastra is a famous treatise on state-craft which within its state policies includes ecological concerns…

In Sweden, during the 20th century, a number of different groups or institutions have nominated themselves as being Nature’s representatives. This essay deals with the ideas, motives or reasons for nature conservation advanced by these groups.