Final answer:
Early agriculture impacted societies by leading to the development of settled communities and labor specialization, influencing religious practices, and causing ecological changes through the deliberate redistribution of plant and animal species.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early agriculture had a significant impact on societies in several ways. Firstly, it led to the development of settled communities and the establishment of sophisticated Neolithic settlements.
The shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture allowed for population growth and labor specialization, which enabled the growth of larger cities. This specialization of tasks and the exchange of goods and services became key features of early civilizations.
In addition, farming brought about changes in religious practices. The division of labor and increased specialization led to the emergence of priestly classes, who had authority and control over resources. Religious practices became more elaborate and focused on agricultural fertility.
Moreover, agriculture resulted in ecological impacts as people deliberately redistributed plant and animal species to increase the concentration of edible species. This led to the development of techniques such as irrigation and plowing to enhance plant productivity.