slashandburn

Slash-and-burn, also known as swidden agriculture, is a traditional method of clearing land for cultivation. The process typically involves slashing vegetation, burning the debris to release nutrients, and planting crops on the nutrient-rich ash floor. Crops are grown for a period until soil fertility declines, after which the land is abandoned and allowed to regenerate as forest or shrub cover returns. The fertility boost from the ash is usually temporary, and the technique relies on a cycle of shifting cultivation with fallow periods.

Historically, slash-and-burn has been practiced in many tropical regions, including parts of the Amazon basin, Central and West Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. It is often carried out by smallholder farmers and indigenous communities who rely on locally available resources. In some contexts, it is integrated with agroforestry or other traditional land-management practices.

Environmental and social considerations surround slash-and-burn. When fallow periods are long enough, the system can sustain biodiversity and soil health; however, shorter fallows due to population pressure and land scarcity can lead to soil degradation, deforestation, erosion, and loss of habitat. Burning releases carbon dioxide and can contribute to air pollution and local haze. The practice remains controversial: proponents emphasize low capital requirements and resilience in some landscapes, while critics highlight risks of irreversible damage at larger scales.

Policies often encourage sustainable alternatives, such as improved fallows, agroforestry, or permanent cropping systems, to reduce deforestation while supporting rural livelihoods.