The Legacy of Abandoned Farmland

Many forests in the eastern United States are remnants of previously productive farmland that has since been abandoned. This phenomenon, often referred to as ecological succession, describes how ecosystems can regenerate after human activity ceases. Settlers cleared vast areas for farming, but as agricultural viability diminished, these lands reverted to forest. The discussion highlights that similar abandonment is occurring globally, particularly in regions like Eastern Europe and South Asia, raising important ecological questions about the nature of these returning landscapes.