Mayan Agriculture Techniques

Crops:

Area:

Terrain:

Technique:

This is the Yucatan Peninsula

Mayan Agriculture Techniques

Crops: squash, beans, corn (maize), cacao, chili peppers.

Area:

Highlands LowlandsYucatan Peninsula

Terrain:

Technique:

Did the Mayan own cows?

Mayan Agriculture Techniques

Crops: squash, beans, corn (maize), cacao, chili peppers.

Area:

Highlands LowlandsYucatan Peninsula

Terrain:

Mountains Swamps Rain Forest

Technique:

How do you make this into a farm?

Raised Earth Platform Farming

Mayan Agriculture Techniques

Crops: squash, beans, corn (maize), cacao, chili peppers.

Area:

Highlands LowlandsYucatan Peninsula

Terrain:

Mountains Swamps Rain Forest

Technique:

Steppe Agriculture

Raised-Platform Agriculture

Slash-and-burn Agriculture

Slash-and-Burn Agriculture

Today, the practice is still used!

• Why do we need alternatives to this kind of agriculture?

Effects of Slash-and-Burn

• Positive1. Makes plenty of land to

use for farming.2. Creates a surplus (extra

amount) of food.3. The food is very nutritious.4. Easy method of clearing a

large amount of land.

• Negative1. Destroys habitat for

animals.2. Releases carbon dioxide

(greenhouse gasses) into the atmosphere.

3. Destroys the land for future use.

4. Farmer needs to rotate crops.