List two advantage of shifting cultivation
http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/key-keeping-rich-vegetable-patch
http://extension.psu.edu/plants/crops/soil-management/conservation-tillage/crop-rotations-and-conservation-tillage
To identify two advantages of shifting cultivation, we need to understand what it is. Shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn or swidden agriculture, is a traditional farming practice where land is cleared, cultivated for a few years, and then abandoned for a period of natural regeneration. This cycle is repeated in different areas over time. Now, let's consider two advantages of shifting cultivation:
1. Soil Fertility: Shifting cultivation can enhance soil fertility. When a plot of land is cleared and burned, the ashes from the burned vegetation act as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil with nutrients. This nutrient-rich soil can support the growth of diverse crops, leading to increased productivity. After a few years, when the land's productivity declines, it is left fallow to recover and regenerate naturally, restoring its fertility for future use.
2. Biodiversity and Sustainability: Shifting cultivation promotes biodiversity and environmental sustainability. By periodically shifting cultivation to different areas, farmers allow the previously cultivated land to regenerate and restore its biodiversity. The fallow period allows the regrowth of native vegetation, which supports a diverse range of plant and animal species. Additionally, because shifting cultivation requires the rotation of farming areas, it reduces the risk of depleting resources in a particular location and minimizes the negative impacts of continuous agriculture on the environment.
To summarize, two advantages of shifting cultivation are improved soil fertility and the promotion of biodiversity and environmental sustainability.