Ancient Cambodian city's intensive land use led to extensive environmental impacts
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 - 17:10
in Earth & Climate
Soil erosion and vegetation change indicate approximately 400 years of intensive land use around the city of Mahendraparvata in the Phnom Kulen region beginning in the mid 9th century, with marked change in water management practices from the 12th century, according to results published January 8, 2014, in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Dan Penny from the University of Sydney and colleagues from other institutions. The main historical and geographical significance of the Phnom Kulen plateau lies in its role as Angkor's source of water, and the 12th century changes may have had implications for water supply to Angkor.