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The regenerative qualities identified in prehistoric, anthropogenic Amazonian dark earths suggest that notoriously infertile tropical soils can be greatly improved. Soil enhancement practices by ancient Amerindians allowed them to cultivate the land intensively, without needing to continually clear new fields from forest. As increasing populations place ever greater pressure on tropical forests, this legacy of rich, 'living' soils warrants further study in the search for high-yield, land-intensive, yet sustainable forms of management. The international group of contributors to this volume provides a variety of stances centering on aspects of the origin, distribution, variability, persistence, and use of Amazonian dark earths.
Über den Autor / die Autorin
Dr. Bruno Glaser is Assistant Professor at the Institute of Soil Science and Soil Geography at the University of Bayreuth. For over seven years he has been conducting Amazonian dark earth research from a soil science perspective including soil fertility, sustainability, and archaeology aspects.
Dr. William Woods is Professor in the Department of Geography and Director of the Archaeology Program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. For over thirty years he has been conducting prehistoric and historic settlement-subsistence research in the eastern United States, Latin America, and Europe.
Zusatztext
From the reviews:
"Concern for the environmental health of Amazonia is at the forefront of current international environmental issues. … Even more uncommonly discussed is the existence of ‘dark earths,’ the subject of this book. … Coverage ranges from a review of the literature to discussion of appropriate methodology. … the book is well written and an excellent resource on this topic. … it will be valuable for all academic libraries and useful to a wide range of readers in natural resources and even in anthropology. Summing Up: Recommended." (M.G. Messina, CHOICE, Vol. 42 (5), January, 2005)
Bericht
From the reviews:
"Concern for the environmental health of Amazonia is at the forefront of current international environmental issues. ... Even more uncommonly discussed is the existence of 'dark earths,' the subject of this book. ... Coverage ranges from a review of the literature to discussion of appropriate methodology. ... the book is well written and an excellent resource on this topic. ... it will be valuable for all academic libraries and useful to a wide range of readers in natural resources and even in anthropology. Summing Up: Recommended." (M.G. Messina, CHOICE, Vol. 42 (5), January, 2005)
