What is shifting cultivation, and what process and sustainability concerns does it create?
Understand the Problem
The question asks for a definition of shifting cultivation, its processes, and associated sustainability concerns. Essentially, it seeks an explanation of this agricultural practice and its environmental impact.
Answer
Shifting cultivation involves temporary cultivation of land plots followed by abandonment. It raises concerns about deforestation and soil erosion but can be sustainable under certain conditions.
Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system where land plots are temporarily cultivated and then abandoned to allow the land to recover its fertility. Concerns include deforestation, soil erosion, habitat loss, and reduced biodiversity. When practiced sustainably at low population densities, shifting cultivation can be ecologically sound.
Answer for screen readers
Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system where land plots are temporarily cultivated and then abandoned to allow the land to recover its fertility. Concerns include deforestation, soil erosion, habitat loss, and reduced biodiversity. When practiced sustainably at low population densities, shifting cultivation can be ecologically sound.
More Information
Shifting cultivation is also known as slash-and-burn agriculture. Traditional shifting cultivation is different from unsustainable forms of agriculture, as the traditional forms allow the land to recover.
Tips
A common mistake is to only consider the negative impacts of shifting cultivation. It can be sustainable if fallow periods are long enough.
Sources
- Shifting cultivation - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- [PDF] Environmental Impacts and Sustainability of Shifting Cultivation ... - ijrpr.com
- Shifting agriculture | Traditional, Subsistence & Rotational - Britannica - britannica.com
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