Was the amazon purposely terraformed?

[silverseeds]

http://www.sas.upenn.edu/sasalum/newsltr/spring04/amazon.html


I post this to this section because i consider this the type of technology many regions should be employing to face various long term potential out there. Not specifically what was done in the amazon, exactly, but terra forming in general.

this is the best way to face a ever changing world. to learn how account for ALL variables in a given locale. you will notice due to the long yearly droughts, and high aluminum this area was considered a place large societies couldnt form let alone thrive. Yet they DID!!!! Ive touched on this topic in my own workings and plans.

Many here will talk about needing to go where it is EASY to farm. i disagree. I say run away from those places, as much as you would population centers, because those will likely be population centers as things shape out, in coming decades....

[Mike]

That article was very, very interesting: the possibility that the Amazon had massive agricultural projects within it.

[silverseeds]

http://www.marc.ucsb.edu/elpilar/fieldreports/2004report/2004report.htm

If you keep digging mike its very clear this did happen. Here another study of the yucatan. highlighting similar practices, of forest gardens. also mentions how the mono culture systems were inferior in many regards. especially in a country where heavy outside inputs are not feasible. A forest culture, especially done WELL, can both out produce, can be easier to manage, and is sustainable ON SITE- pretty much forever.

[Mike]

The linked article shows evidence that the Maya had specialization, as in flint workers and cotton spinners.

Then, after suggesting that settlement was disperse, and tended towards ridges where soil and drainage are good, they write,

Our results at once provide a basis for understanding the ancient Maya land use strategies and a criterion for protecting the most sensitive areas from development.

slipping the modern bias for central planning and 'protecting sensitive areas into an otherwise excellent report.

The researchers developed a predictive model for finding ancient settlements based on soil quality, drainage, streams, and slope.  It sounds pretty good.

Our model has another important potential.  It could prove a major asset in the management of cultural resources of the Maya forest and give probability strategies for locating ancient settlements.

So the best land may become off limits.  Maybe silverseed is onto something: go to where there hasn't ever been agricultural development.

The prevailing view is that the present forests of the Maya area are essentially anthropogenic, that they are a result of human interaction with the forest, manipulating the species composition to increase the value of the forest for the economy of the culture.  By actively nurturing and providing preferential attention of some species over others in the forest and planting and caring for economic plants in the garden, there is a blur in the distinction between the wilderness and the garden.

[silverseeds]

yeah its REAL hard to find science these days, not painted at least partially with agenda. but Im sure most here see that very clearly.

[Dame]

From what I have seen, most of the Americas were actively under terraformed production of some sort prior to European settlement.  We have never recognized it previously as it did not conform to the European mindset of the New World savages.

[silverseeds]

From what I have seen, most of the Americas were actively under terraformed production of some sort prior to European settlement.  We have never recognized it previously as it did not conform to the European mindset of the New World savages.

I believe your right as well.

[Mike]

From what I have seen, most of the Americas were actively under terraformed production of some sort prior to European settlement.  We have never recognized it previously as it did not conform to the European mindset of the New World savages.

I believe your right as well.

I too believe you're right as well.

Maybe the question should be, what weren't the natives  terra-forming?  Obviously they weren't terra-forming the Amazon?   Errr, maybe not so obvious.