Final answer:
Early civilizations changed their natural environments through the development of agriculture, leading to settled communities, shifts in land use, and social transformations. Geographical factors influenced societal structures, with the Neolithic Revolution marking a significant ecological and cultural shift.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early civilizations transformed their natural environments in various profound ways. The development of agriculture was a slow process that led to significant ecological impacts, such as the redistribution of plant and animal species. The shift to farming increased local concentrations of edible species while reducing those of little value to humans. This shift allowed people to settle in one place, cultivating the land and domesticating animals. In turn, techniques like hoeing, irrigation, and eventually ploughing and manuring enhanced plant productivity.
Geographical factors played a critical role in shaping early human societies—landscape, climate, wildlife, and natural resources all influenced whether societies were nomadic hunter-gatherers or settled agricultural communities. The advent of farming and settled life led to social transformations, specialization of occupations, growth in population, and the emergence of new cultural and trade practices. Large structures and monuments reflect the increased power and wealth of ruling classes.
The environmental impact was not limited to land but also included aquatic ecosystems, where overfishing could alter the dynamics of habitats. Moreover, the construction of dams for water supply to growing cities had a profound impact. The Neolithic Revolution, an essential milestone in human history, triggered extensive changes in land use, social organization, wealth accumulation, and religious practices that served as the foundation for later civilizations.