As the Trees Go, So Go the People: Ecosystem in Peru Loses a Key Ally (via @nytimes)

 

A few branchy huarango trees can be seen at the back edge of an Atacama desert oasis near Ica, Peru. Remnants of disappearing Peruvian huarango forests are coveted for their charcoal and firewood. Recent research indicates that by cutting down all their trees the ancient Peruvian Nazca people precipitated their own demise. Photo by Carlos Adampol/flickr.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/world/americas/08peru.html

"...Peruvians pose what might be a final challenge to the fragile ecosystem supported by the huarango near the southwestern coast of Peru. Villagers are cutting down the remnants of these once vast forests. They covet the tree as a source of charcoal and firewood..."

Also see: No Trees, No People: Peru's Nazca culture was brought down with its trees (via @latimes)

Deforestation left nothing to hinder ancient floodwaters on the desert plain, researchers find. Modern Peru could learn from the civilization's collapse, they say.

http://ddimick.posterous.com/no-trees-no-people-perus-nazca-culture-was-br

Kew: The Huarango Forests of Peru 

http://www.kew.org/science/tropamerica/peru/background.htm

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