Introduction to the Geography of Agriculture

Video: The Lost Empire of the Tiwanaku (study questions)

• Describe the climate of the Bolivian Altiplano. Why is it so hard to practice agriculture there?
• What was the significance of water to the Tiwanaku civilization?
• Explain why raised field agriculture works so well at an altitude of 14,000 feet.
• What caused the fall of the Tiwanaku civilization?
• How does the Aymara's quality of life today compare with that of their Tiwanaku ancestors?
• How has the rediscovery of the ancient raised field method of agriculture changed the lives of the Aymara today?

Video: The Promise of the Land (study questions)

• What is our great abundance of food based on?
• How long does it take soil to form?
• Describe modern industrial agricultural practices in terms of:

  use of water

  fertilization

  pest control

  soil conservation

• Wendell Berry states that modern industrial agriculture is producing greater yields than ever before at a greater cost than ever before. What are the costs he describes.
• How do the Vogelsburg's 'good farming practices' differ from the modern industrial ways?
• How did salinization destroy ancient civilizations? How does it threaten agriculture today?
• According to Michael Robinson, what happens when complex ecosystems are simplified?