Final answer:
Horticulture is more environmentally sensible in the Amazon because it's less disruptive and aligns with ecosystems, unlike intensive agriculture and livestock farming that cause significant deforestation, habitat loss, and environmental degradation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Horticulture, particularly the methods practiced by the Kayapó in the Amazonian rainforest, is more environmentally sensible than intensive agricultural and pastoral exploitation because it involves less disruptive, small-scale cultivation that aligns with local ecosystems. Extensive horticulture such as slash-and-burn used by the Kayapó facilitates recovery and doesn't lead to the same level of deforestation and habitat loss that livestock farming and intensive agriculture do. Furthermore, horticulture diminishes the negative impacts associated with intensive farming, such as the buildup of greenhouse gases, soil erosion, and the alteration of rainfall patterns, which can all exacerbate climate change and biodiversity loss.
Livestock farming accounts for significant deforestation in the Amazon, leading to habitat reduction for numerous species. The conversion of rainforest to pasture land, encouraged by flawed development policies, is driven not just by the economic ambitions of local people but also by international demand and incentives that disregard environmental costs. Consequentially, horticulture appears to be a more sustainable option that respects the delicate balance of the rainforest ecosystem while still providing for human needs.