Which of the following best explains how the Mayans adapted their environment?
(1 point)
• The Mayans developed a nomadic lifestyle to hunt for food.
• The Mayans fertilized their fields so they could be used every year.
• They traded with others due to their lack of good land for farming.
• They specialized in fishing due to the abundance of rivers.
The Mayans fertilized their fields so they could be used every year.
The best explanation of how the Mayans adapted their environment is that they fertilized their fields so they could be used every year.
The best answer that explains how the Mayans adapted their environment is option 2: The Mayans fertilized their fields so they could be used every year.
To arrive at this answer, we need to consider the environmental challenges that the Mayans faced and how they addressed them. The Mayans inhabited an area with rainforest and varied terrain, which presented certain obstacles to agriculture. However, they were able to overcome these challenges by using techniques such as slash-and-burn agriculture, terrace farming, and irrigation systems.
In the case of fertilization, the Mayans were aware that repeated planting in the same fields could deplete the soil of its nutrients. To combat this, they utilized natural fertilizers such as manure and compost to replenish the soil and ensure its productivity year after year. This practice allowed them to maintain sustainable agriculture and adapt to their environment's limitations.
Therefore, Option 2, "The Mayans fertilized their fields so they could be used every year," is the most accurate explanation of how the Mayans adapted their environment.