New Spain Mining

Thesis: The authors of my secondary source peer reviewed article, Daviken Studnicki Gizbert and David Schecter, discuss the ecological dynamics, human and physical, of mining-driven deforestation in colonial Mexico. Mining was brought into New Spain in the 1500’s and New Spain accounted for forty percent of the world’s silver supply in the early modern period. A single mine could consume well over twenty times the amount of fuel-wood burned by a town of five to six thousand inhabitants. Without fuel the foundry fires would go out and the processing of metals would come to a complete stand still, and mining fueled the development of new and more intensive forms of land use such as pastoralism and agriculture. The debate is principally revolved

What was odd about the development of New Spain mining was location. There was always intense sunshine during the day with little precipitation, and they were also located on very flat land. Silver mining in New Spain was an industry operating without iron and steel or coal and electrical energy, so it relied intensely on wood for building the heat. A lot of metals had to be pre-roasted before they are fully effective, and wood and fire was also used for heat by the miners for keeping warm, for cooking, and for boiling. It is argued that on average, the estimate of how much foist land was cleared by silver production was 6,332 m2 per kilogram of silver. By the 18th and 19th century, seventy percent was felled. The forests of New Spain mining belt didn't cover the land in an equal and contiguous way, the actual location of the forests that were cleared extended well beyond that point. The reason why miners extracted the silver by smelting was because access to mercury was

Trees and shrubs played a fundamental role and acted as classic keystone species such as shrub oaks, oaks, willows, poplars, and mesquites. Mesquites had long roots that could penetrate deeply into the ground to reach the water table and could assure their hydration through the dry seasons. Mesquites also acted as good nitrogen pumps for the soil to keep it fertilized. The seeds of this tree were also important because they were a reliable source of carbohydrates, proteins, and sugars for the local animals. The mesquites being so big and tall helped to create shade and block wind for animals during the high daytime temperatures. Fertile soil, water, shade, and wind cover were the elements to help plant and animal species thrive. When it comes to the human communities, wildlife and animal protein occupied the Guachichile diet. Guachichile boys are armed at a young age with bows and were encouraged to hunt and they also gathered a wide range of plants. The food supply is important because it played a central role in the extension of Spanish colonial society into the homelands of hunter gatherer groups like the Guachichile’s. The key to Spanish success was food and the Guachichile’s would gift the Chichimecan’s with maize and other foods in exchange for peace and for settlement of