Slash and Burn
Definition
An agricultural technique involving the cutting down and burning of vegetation in an area before planting crops. The ash from the burned vegetation provides nutrients to the soil, allowing for cultivation in nutrient-poor tropical forest soils.
Analogy
Slash and burn is like hitting the reset button on a video game. By clearing out the old vegetation and burning it, farmers create a fresh start with fertile soil to grow their crops.
Related terms
Transhumance: A form of pastoralism where herders move their livestock seasonally between different grazing areas or climatic zones.
Terracing: A technique used to create flat or gently sloping platforms on hillsides or mountainsides, enabling agriculture in steep terrain.
Monoculture: The practice of growing a single crop species over large areas of land, often resulting in high yields but increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.
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