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Improved fallows: a case study of an adaptive response in Amazonian swidden farming systems

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  • Kristina Marquardt
  • Rebecka Milestad
  • Lennart Salomonsson

Abstract

Many smallholders in the Amazon employ swidden (slash-and-burn) farming systems in which forest or forest fallows are the primary source of natural soil enrichment. With decreasing opportunities to claim natural forests for agriculture and shrinking landholdings, rotational agriculture on smaller holdings allows insufficient time for fallow to regenerate naturally into secondary forest. This case study examines how Peruvian farmers use “improved fallows” as an adaptive response to a situation of decreasing soil fertility and how the farmers describe the rationale underlying the various actions taken in these modified fallow systems. The results indicate that farmers establish improved fallows using contextual ecological knowledge and various techniques to introduce a large diversity of tree species. This practice is also used to restore degraded land to agricultural production. The tasks of maintaining productivity on agricultural land and reforesting degraded areas is becoming increasingly urgent in the Amazon, making agricultural practices that involve reforestation and tree management highly relevant. Since swidden farming systems are the basis for the livelihoods of most Amazon smallholders, good farming practices elaborated by swidden farmers are important for sustainable small-scale family farming systems in the Amazon. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Kristina Marquardt & Rebecka Milestad & Lennart Salomonsson, 2013. "Improved fallows: a case study of an adaptive response in Amazonian swidden farming systems," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 30(3), pages 417-428, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:30:y:2013:i:3:p:417-428
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-012-9415-5
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    1. Norman Myers & Russell A. Mittermeier & Cristina G. Mittermeier & Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca & Jennifer Kent, 2000. "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities," Nature, Nature, vol. 403(6772), pages 853-858, February.
    2. Michael Chappell & Liliana LaValle, 2011. "Food security and biodiversity: can we have both? An agroecological analysis," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 28(1), pages 3-26, February.
    3. Perz, Stephen G., 2004. "Are Agricultural Production and Forest Conservation Compatible? Agricultural Diversity, Agricultural Incomes and Primary Forest Cover Among Small Farm Colonists in the Amazon," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 957-977, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fantini, Alfredo C. & Bauer, Eliane & de Valois, Cassio M. & Siddique, Ilyas, 2017. "The demise of swidden-fallow agriculture in an Atlantic Rainforest region: Implications for farmers’ livelihood and conservation," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 417-426.
    2. Ota, Liz & Herbohn, John & Gregorio, Nestor & Harrison, Steve, 2020. "Reforestation and smallholder livelihoods in the humid tropics," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).

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