Environmental Anthropology: Key Concepts and Discussions

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to environmental anthropology based on the lecture notes provided.

Ecological Anthropology

A field of study that examines the relationships between humans and their environment, focusing on cultural adaptations.

Cultural Ecology

The study of the processes by which societies adapt to their environments, established by Julian Steward.

Culture Core

Cultural features most closely associated with the utilization of a specific environment, a concept introduced by Julian Steward.

Political Ecology

An interdisciplinary theoretical orientation combining cultural ecology and theories of power relations, focusing on how historical inequalities impact human-environment interactions.

Feminist Political Ecology

An approach that integrates gender considerations into the study of ecological practices and environmental policies.

Ethnoecology

The cross-cultural study of how humans perceive and use the natural environment, integrating techniques from cultural ecology, biology, and linguistics.

Shifting Cultivation

An agricultural practice involving the rotation of fields to maintain soil fertility, often criticized but recognized for its ecological benefits by ethnoecologists.

Environmental Determinism

The theory that environmental features strongly determine cultural formations and societal development.

Possibilism

The philosophical stance that the environment only limits, rather than determines, human actions and cultural patterns.

Sustainability

The ability to use resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.