Abstract The hydrological and geomorphological impacts
of traditional swidden cultivation in Montane Mainland
Southeast Asia are virtually inconsequential, whereas the
impacts associated with intensified replacement agricultural
systems are often much more substantial. Negative perceptions
toward swiddening in general by governments in the
region beginning half a decade ago have largely been based
on cases of forest conversion and land degradation associated
with (a) intensified swidden systems, characterized by
shortened fallow and extended cropping periods and/or (b)
the widespread cultivation of opium for cash after the
Second World War. Neither of these practices should be
viewed as traditional, subsistence-based swiddening. Other
types of intensive agriculture systems are now replacing
swiddening throughout the region, including semi-permanent
and permanent cash cropping, monoculture plantations, and
greenhouse complexes. The negative impacts associated with
these systems include changes in streamflow response,
increased surface erosion, a higher probability of landslides,
and the declination in stream water quality. Unlike the case
for traditional swiddening, these impacts result because of
several factors: (1) large portions of upland catchments are
cultivated simultaneously; (2) accelerated hydraulic and
tillage erosion occurs on plots that are cultivated repetitively
with limited or no fallowing to allow recovery of key soil
properties, including infiltration; (3) concentrated overland
flow and erosion sources are often directly connected with
the stream network; (4) root strength is reduced on
permanently converted hillslopes; (5) surface and ground
water extraction is frequently used for irrigation; and (6)
and pesticides and herbicides are used. Furthermore, the
commercial success of these systems relies on the
existence of dense networks of roads, which are linear
landscape features renowned for disrupting hydrological
and geomorphological systems. A new conservation focus
is needed to reduce the impacts of these intensified upland
agricultural practices.
Abstract The hydrological and geomorphological impactsof traditional swidden cultivation in Montane MainlandSoutheast Asia are virtually inconsequential, whereas theimpacts associated with intensified replacement agriculturalsystems are often much more substantial. Negative perceptionstoward swiddening in general by governments in theregion beginning half a decade ago have largely been basedon cases of forest conversion and land degradation associatedwith (a) intensified swidden systems, characterized byshortened fallow and extended cropping periods and/or (b)the widespread cultivation of opium for cash after theSecond World War. Neither of these practices should beviewed as traditional, subsistence-based swiddening. Othertypes of intensive agriculture systems are now replacingswiddening throughout the region, including semi-permanentand permanent cash cropping, monoculture plantations, andgreenhouse complexes. The negative impacts associated withthese systems include changes in streamflow response,increased surface erosion, a higher probability of landslides,and the declination in stream water quality. Unlike the casefor traditional swiddening, these impacts result because ofseveral factors: (1) large portions of upland catchments arecultivated simultaneously; (2) accelerated hydraulic andtillage erosion occurs on plots that are cultivated repetitivelywith limited or no fallowing to allow recovery of key soilproperties, including infiltration; (3) concentrated overlandflow and erosion sources are often directly connected withthe stream network; (4) root strength is reduced onpermanently converted hillslopes; (5) surface and groundwater extraction is frequently used for irrigation; and (6)and pesticides and herbicides are used. Furthermore, thecommercial success of these systems relies on theexistence of dense networks of roads, which are linearlandscape features renowned for disrupting hydrologicaland geomorphological systems. A new conservation focusis needed to reduce the impacts of these intensified uplandagricultural practices.
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