Final answer:
Slash-and-burn agriculture is a traditional farming method that requires minimal labor and is used in areas with infertile soils, such as rainforests. It has been sustainable in small populations but can lead to environmental degradation if practiced unsustainably.
Step-by-step explanation:
Slash-and-Burn Agriculture Defined
Slash-and-burn agriculture, also known as swidden or milpa farming, is a type of extensive horticulture practiced primarily in equatorial rainforest climates, where infertile soils are prevalent. This form of cultivation entails cutting down patches of forest, allowing them to dry, and then burning the debris to enrich the soil temporarily with nutrients from the ashes. The land is farmed for a few years until it becomes nutrient-depleted, after which it is left fallow to allow the forest to regenerate. This method is considered land extensive because it requires a large amount of land but is calorically efficient as it needs minimal labor or machinery.
In areas like the rainforests of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, slash-and-burn has been a sustainable practice when carried out by small populations. However, with rising populations and increased demand for land, this practice can lead to deforestation and soil degradation, making it unsustainable in the long term. Alternatives like Inga Alley Cropping have been proposed to mitigate these effects while preserving forest cultures.