Final answer:
The terms 'slash-and-burn' and 'swidden agriculture' are synonymous with shifting cultivation or extensive horticulture. This farming method involves clearing plots of land, farming them for a period, then letting them lie fallow to allow soil regeneration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two terms synonymous with shifting cultivation are slash-and-burn and swidden agriculture. Shifting cultivation, otherwise known as extensive horticulture, occurs when farmers clear a plot of land, cultivate it for a period of time, then leave it to rest or lie fallow, allowing the soil's nutrients to regenerate. This process often involves a method called slash-and-burn, where vegetation is cut down and burned, enriching the soil.
This mode of farming is common in areas with less fertile soil. Shifting cultivation is sustainable and allows for biodiversity, but it requires large tracts of land. On the other hand, swidden agriculture is another word for shifting cultivation, particularly in Southeast Asia, where the word 'swidden' refers to a patch of land cleared for cultivation by slashing and burning.
Learn more about Shifting Cultivation