Final answer:
Altun Shan's environment heavily influences its agriculture and shelter through terrace farming to optimize water usage for crop growth and building homes according to resource availability and climate. However, the region faces challenges due to deforestation and soil erosion, which are exacerbated by the growing population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The environment of Altun Shan has a significant influence on food production and shelter construction within its region. The arid land's sparse tree population, influenced by the demand for firewood, demonstrates how crucial local resources are for shaping the society's habitat. Altun Shan's agricultural economy is sustained through terrace farming, capitalizing on the regional topography to maximize water retention for crops. This method is not only a food-getting strategy, but it also highlights how human ingenuity transforms natural landscapes to meet subsistence needs. Meanwhile, shelter designs are adapted to both the environmental conditions and resource availability, proving the substantial impact of geographical features on the construction of human habitation.
In sum, the complex interaction between humans and their environment is reflected in the methods of food production and the style of homes people build. These practices ensure survival and reflect the community's cultural adaptations to their environment. However, such adaptations must also contend with stresses on the environment such as deforestation, which highlights the challenges posed by an increasing population and environmental degradation. Future pressures may be alleviated through the exploitation of new-found oil and natural gas reserves, pointing to a dynamic interplay between natural resources and societal development.