Introduction to Cultural Ecology

by Sutton, Mark Q.; Anderson, E. N.

• ISBN13: 9780759112476
• ISBN10: 0759112479
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-07-30
• Publisher: Altamira Pr

Summary

Introduction to Cultural Ecology provides a thorough discussion of the history and theoretical basis behind cultural ecology, starting with the basic principles of cultural anthropology, environmental studies, and human biological adaptations to the environment. It features nine case studies from around the world and highlights and defines key terms for the introductory-level student.

Author Biography

Mark Q. Sutton is professor emeritus of anthropology at California State University, Bakersfield, and is principal investigator at Statistical Research, Inc., a cultural resource management and heritage preservation firm. E. N. Anderson is professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of California, Riverside.

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Tables	p. xi
Preface	p. xiii
Acknowledgments	p. xvii
Introduction	p. 1
What Is Cultural Ecology?	p. 3
Anthropology	p. 5
The Study of Human Ecology	p. 8
A History of Thought on Culture and Environment	p. 13
The Rise of Cultural Ecology	p. 21
Thus...	p. 31
Chapter Summary	p. 32
Key Terms	p. 32
Fundamentals of Ecology	p. 35
The Environment	p. 35
Niche and Habitat	p. 46
Resources	p. 47
Energy	p. 50
Chapter Summary	p. 55
Key Terms	p. 56
Human Biological Ecology	p. 59
Humans as Animals	p. 59
Biological Adaptations	p. 60
Human Population Regulation	p. 63
Nutrition	p. 68
Evolutionary Ecology	p. 73
Chapter Summary	p. 89
Key Terms	p. 89
Cultural Ecology	p. 91
Human Capabilities	p. 91
Culture as an Adaptive Mechanism	p. 97
Traditional Knowledge Systems	p. 102
Human Control of the Environment	p. 116
Decision Making	p. 125
A Concluding Thought on Management	p. 131
Chapter Summary	p. 131
Key Terms	p. 132
Hunting and Gathering	p. 133
Hunter-Gatherer Classification	p. 135
The Hunter-Gatherer Stereotype	p. 138
Bias in Hunter-Gatherer Studies	p. 140
Population	p. 142
Settlement and Subsistence	p. 143
Environmental Manipulation and Resource Management	p. 152
Relations with other Groups	p. 153
Chapter Summary	p. 154
Key Terms	p. 155
Case Study 5.1: The Nuu-chah-nulth of British Columbia	p. 155
Case Study 5.2: The Mbuti of the Ituri Forest	p. 165
The Origins of Food Production	p. 177
Agricultural Domestication	p. 180
The Transition to Farming	p. 181
On the Origin of Agriculture	p. 183
Types of Agriculture	p. 188
The Impact of Agriculture	p. 189
Chapter Summary	p. 194
Key Terms	p. 194
Horticulture	p. 195
Horticultral Techniques	p. 195
Use of Wild Resources	p. 206
Environmental Manipulation and Resource Management	p. 207
Relations with Other Groups	p. 207
Chapter Summary	p. 208
Key Terms	p. 208
Case Study 7.1: The Grand Valley Dani of Highland New Guinea	p. 209
Case Study 7.2: The Lozi of Western Zambia	p. 215
Pastoralism	p. 225
General Sociopolitical Organization	p. 226
Types of Pastoralism	p. 227
The Geography of Pastoralism	p. 228
The Origin of Pastoralism	p. 230
Some Parameters of Pastoralism	p. 230
Use of Nonpastoral Products	p. 236
Environmental Manipulation and Resource Management	p. 237
Relations with Other Groups	p. 238
A Note on the Impact of Grazing	p. 238
Chapter Summary	p. 240
Key Terms	p. 241
Case Study 8.1: The Maasai: Pastoralists in East Africa	p. 241
Case Study 8.2: The Navajo: Pastoralists of the American Southwest	p. 248
Case Study 8.3: Cattle Ranchers in the American West, by Kimberly Hedrick	p. 256
Intensive Agriculture	p. 267
Changes in Scale	p. 268
Techniques of Intensive Agriculture	p. 273
Contemporary Industrialized Agriculture	p. 275
Environmental Manipulation and Resource Management	p. 277
Relations with Other Groups	p. 277
Chapter Summary	p. 277
Key Terms	p. 278
Case Study 9.1: Mountains and Water: The Traditional Agricultural System along South Coastal China	p. 278
Case Study 9.2: The Maya Agricultural System	p. 294
Current Issues and Problems	p. 305
The Tragedy of the Commons	p. 307
Agricultural Involution	p. 308
Agricultural Development and Intensification	p. 309
The Rainforest Dilemma	p. 312
The General Problem	p. 318
Chapter Summary	p. 320
Key Terms	p. 321
Glossary	p. 323
References	p. 331
Index	p. 391
About the Authors	p. 399
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