Final answer:
In a tropical environment with low population density, gathering and hunting is the recommended subsistence strategy because it utilizes readily available natural resources in an eco-friendly, sustainable manner.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a tropical environment with low population density, the most appropriate subsistence strategy would be gathering and hunting, also known as gatherer-hunter lifestyle. This method involves relying on the natural resources readily available in the environment, such as gathering fruits, nuts, berries, roots, collecting honey from wild bees, hunting wild animals, and fishing in rivers and lakes. The flexibility of this system allows for seasonal migrations and temporary settlements to take advantage of abundant resources in specific areas, like the Hadza bands of northern Tanzania. As an additional advantage, in tropical regions, ecosystems typically offer a rich biodiversity year-round, emphasizing gathering due to the constant availability of plant resources close to the equator.
It's important to note that while a primary subsistence strategy is typically dominant, many societies employ a combination of strategies to sustain their communities, shifting between them as environmental conditions and resource availability change. Moreover, since regulatory protocols to prevent overexploitation are often less developed in tropical countries, sustainable practices that do not overuse the resources are crucial for long-term survival and health of both the human populations and the ecosystems they depend on.