446 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— M. 



activities. Wars, fighting and raids devastated the forests. Many wooded 

 areas were cut down to exterminate wild beasts. Shortage of fuel also 

 denuded many districts of woods. Grazing animals and burning of vegeta- 

 tion prevents natural regeneration of trees. Many formerly wooded areas 

 have become derelict and of little economic value. Minor destruction has 

 led to moving sand dunes. In certain areas there has been a decrease of 

 heather and a corresponding increase in rough grass. The nature and extent 

 of grazing cause changes, and certainly play an important part in the Moor 

 Mat Grass problem. The bracken problem is also bound up with the biotic 

 factor. Competition between broom and bracken is discussed. Man has 

 to his credit draining of marshes, bogs or mosses, and breaking in moors or 

 heather, and thus extending the area of agricultural land. Much of his 

 destructive activities might have been avoided, and action to prevent 

 destructive action in the future is advocated. 



Report of Committee on Soil resources of the Empire (Section E room) 

 (12-15). 



Concurrent with above : — ■ 



Joint Discussion with Section L (Educational Science) (q.v .) on Educa- 

 tion for rural life (Section L room) (10.0). 



