Final answer:
Two examples of niche construction in food systems history are the Three Sisters cropping practice and the shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture, both illustrating the active shaping of environments by human societies and their impacts on ecological, cultural, and economic aspects of food systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two examples of niche construction in the history of food systems are the Three Sisters cropping practice of the Haudenosaunee and the shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture.
The Three Sisters cropping practice of the Haudenosaunee is a sustainable and healthy farming technique that involves planting three main crops - corn, beans, and squash - together in the same plot. This practice maximizes the use of resources, as the corn provides a structure for the beans to climb, while the beans fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting the corn and squash. The squash then provides ground cover, preventing weed growth and retaining soil moisture. This example highlights how human societies actively shape their environment by developing farming techniques that promote sustainability and nutrition.
The shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture was a deliberate manipulation of nature for human ends. This transition involved settling in one place and modifying the immediate environment to cultivate crops. This cultural change was the foundation of agriculture and food systems as we know them today. It resulted in significant changes in the interrelationships between humans and other living organisms, as well as in social dynamics and economic systems. This historical example illustrates how niche construction by human societies has profound impacts on ecological, cultural, and economic aspects of food systems, shaping our understanding of food system dynamics.