1. Agricultural Strategies Andes (1)

Climate and Agricultural Strategies

• Importance of climate in ancient Andean agriculture.

• Millions of hectares of abandoned farmland indicates more cultivation in precolumbian times.

• Agricultural techniques varied according to ecological zones and local resources.

Key Agricultural Adaptations

• Development of water management systems to adapt to changing climate conditions.

• Temporary regression in agricultural systems due to drought.

• Civil engineering skills were crucial for planning, building, and managing agricultural systems.

Historical Climate Patterns

• Central Andes characterized by unique rainfall patterns affecting agricultural practices.

• Altiplano region: high groundwater maintained throughout seasons.

• Variability in ecological zones impacts agricultural potential.

Drought Analysis

• Ice core and sediment core analysis indicates periods of wet and dry conditions over the last 1,500 years.

• Documented significant drought between 1100-1500 CE.

• Climate shifts impacted the sustainability of societies such as Moche and Tiwanaku.

Effects of Drought on Cultivation

• Transition to pastoralism and reliance on marine resources observed in response to agricultural decline.

• Inca employed corvée labor for large-scale agrarian reclamation during wetter periods.

Technological Innovations

• Agricultural systems showcased adaptive measures to maintain productivity despite climatic changes.

• Series of agro-engineering strategies developed across different cultures and time periods.

Sustainability Metrics and Models

• The model for assessing agricultural sustainability (Q) factors in runoff ratio, land area, crop yield, and demographic patterns.

• Varying vulnerability indices (1 - V) highlight strengths and weaknesses in agricultural methodologies.

Conclusion

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• Long history of responses to climate change in Andean civilizations.

• Shifts observed in dominant agricultural practices correlate with climatic variability.

• Future investigations needed to understand socio-political impacts on agriculture.