Cultivated Landscapes of Native Amazonia and the Andes (Oxford Geographical and Environmental Studies Series) - Tapa blanda

... a detailed academic, yet readable, picture of farming practices in environments ranging from rain forests and mountains to swamps and deserts. (British Bulletin of Publications)

Not only is it a rich source for studying the cultural heritage of indigenous agriculture and a testimony to the author's impressive research contribution; it could and should also be an incentive for continued scholarly activity on a fascinating topic. (Christoph Stadel, Mountain Research and Development Vol 25 No 4 Nov 2005)

The Andes and Amazonia are two of the harshest regions on earth. The opportunities for productive agriculture, even with modern methods, seem limited given conditions of climate, terrain, and soils. Nevertheless, indigenous people, both prehistoric and more recent, developed systems of cultivation that have been intensive, highly productive, and sustainable, reclaiming marginal lands and supporting large numbers of people and complex socities.

This valuable reference work examines native South American agriculture. Its focus is on field types and field technologies, including agricultural landforms such as terraces, canals, and drained fields which have persisted for hundreds of years. The evidence utilized comes from abandoned fields, historical documents, and current practices. What emerges is a picture of indigenous farming practices in rain forests, savannas, swamps, rugged mountains, and deserts. This knowledge provides unique techniques and some basic principles for farming difficult environments.