Final answer:
The population density and community size of horticultural societies is usually greater than pedestrian foragers, with figures ranging from 25 to 1,000 persons per square kilometre for the former compared to 0.02 to 0.2 for the latter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The population density and community size of horticultural societies is usually greater than pedestrian foragers. Horticultural societies cultivate plants and rely on settled agriculture rather than continuous nomadic foraging. Thus, they can support higher population densities within a given area. Studies have shown that where pedestrian foragers might have population densities from around 0.02 to 0.2 persons per square kilometre, horticultural societies have a much denser population ranging from 25 to 1,000 persons per square kilometre.
Population density increases as societies transition from foraging to horticulture because of more efficient food production. Horticultural practices allow for a more reliable food source, enabling communities to settle in one place without the need to migrate in search of food. This settlement leads to the formation of permanent villages, often consisting of extended families, with complex social and leadership structures to organize agricultural surplus and manage community resources.
However, this increased population density in agricultural communities leads to a greater vulnerability to epidemic diseases and dependency on climatic conditions for crop growth. Horticultural societies, such as the Kayapó, demonstrate the potential for sustainable cultivation practices that enhance environmental biodiversity.