Kaskiviljelyä

Kaskiviljelyä, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture, is a traditional farming method where forests or woodlands are cleared by cutting and burning to create fields for crops. This practice has been used for centuries in various parts of the world, particularly in tropical regions. The process typically involves cutting down trees and vegetation, allowing them to dry, and then burning the cleared area. The ash produced from the burning acts as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil with nutrients.

After the burn, crops are planted directly into the ash-rich soil. The fertility provided by the ash allows for relatively productive harvests for a few years. However, the soil's fertility is eventually depleted, and the land is then left fallow to allow the forest to regenerate. Once the area has recovered, the cycle may begin again. The fallow period can range from a few years to several decades, depending on the local environment and population density.

While kaskiviljelyä can be a sustainable practice when conducted with long fallow periods and low population pressure, it can lead to significant environmental problems if overused. Intensive use without adequate regeneration time can result in soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and deforestation. In modern times, its sustainability is often debated, with concerns raised about its impact on climate change due to carbon emissions from burning and the long-term effects on forest ecosystems. Different regions have adopted varying approaches to managing or transitioning away from kaskiviljelyä based on local conditions and resource availability.