Which of the agricultural strategies we discussed (in your textbook and in Lecture 11.4) made sense to you? Which seem confusing?
Options: Mixed farming, Grazing/pastoralism, shifting cultivation and sedentary agriculture
Use this as an opportunity to review two of the more challenging strategies. Consider the following:
– What activities does a particular strategy involve?
– In what settings is that strategy practiced?
– How is it a response to surrounding environmental conditions?
– What limitations or drawbacks emerge as populations grow and land use becomes more intensive?
Andrews notes that agriculture in the Kawuneeche Valley was extremely limited, much as it was in other mountainous areas of Colorado. However, we have seen that, in many areas of the world, mountain agriculture is quite productive and capable of supporting large populations.
What explains this difference? Is it simply a matter of climate? Or are there other factors we need to consider?
