Aprovechamientos forestales en la comarca del Campo de Cartagena durante la Edad Media.

Abstract

Throughout the Middle Ages there was a combination of circunstances adverse to human ocupation which kept the Campo de Cartagena practically uninhabited. The sparse population made the most of the various natural resources available in a fairly rudimentary way. Harvesting and grazing were predominant among these activities. The consequence of this meant a minimum impact on the vegetation, tipically a Mediterranean maquia dominated by mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus L.), wild olive trees (Olea europaea L.), kermes oaks (Quercus coccifera L.), pines (Pinus alepensis Miller) and palmettos (Chamaerops humilis L.) and with holm oaks (Quercus ilex ssp. rotundifolia Lam.) on the mountainous edges of the area (specially in the north). The Middle Ages, therefore meant a respit for the enviroment between the strong presure brought to bear by the Punic and roman eras and later by the Modern and Contemporary Ages.