Final answer:
Slash-and-burn agriculture is a method used in equatorial rainforest climates to enrich nutrient-poor soils through burning cleared vegetation. It is sustainable with small populations but can lead to environmental degradation with increased demand. Alternatives like Inga Alley Cropping provide sustainable agricultural solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Slash-and-burn agriculture, also referred to as swidden or shifting cultivation, is a form of extensive horticulture commonly practiced in regions with equatorial rainforest climates. This type of agriculture involves the process of clearing the land by cutting down vegetation and then burning it to add nutrients to the typically nutrient-poor soils of rainforest areas.
The ash from burnt vegetation works as a natural fertilizer, briefly enhancing soil fertility. The practice has sustained populations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America for centuries, as it doesn't require a significant labor force and is also calorically efficient. However, with increased population pressure, the practice becomes unsustainable, leading to significant deforestation and soil degradation.
Alternatives to slash-and-burn like Inga Alley Cropping, where crops are grown between rows of nitrogen-fixing trees, are emerging to preserve the ecosystem while still supporting agricultural activities. Shifting cultivation is not only about survival but also involves cultural practices, as seen in the three sisters planting of corn, beans, and squash in the Americas.