Amazonian Dark Earths: Explorations in Space and Time
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
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 intensively cultivate the land, 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. This volume’s international group of contributors provides a variety of stances centering on aspects of the origin, distribution, variability, persistence, and use of Amazonian dark earths.
About the Author
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.
Amazonian Dark Earths: Explorations in Space and Time,Bruno Glaser,Wiliam I. Woods,Springer,3540007547,Agriculture - Agronomy,Amazon River Watershed,Americas (North Central South West Indies),Anthropogenic soils,History,History: American,Life Sciences - Ecology,Life Sciences - General,Science,Soil science, sedimentology,Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry,The Americas,USA
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