LOCAL APPLICATION OF THE TECHNIQUE INTEGRATED USE OF MARGINAL AREAS 42

LOCAL APPLICATION OF THE TECHNIQUE

Technique: INTEGRATED USE OF MARGINAL AREAS Local name: Tail-Lands Planting Site: Tucson Basin, Arizona, United States of America, North America Location Click the globe to see the techinique on Google Map Continent: North America Country: United States of America Site: Tucson Basin, Arizona Coordinates: Lat: 32.238214 Long: -111.059690 Description of the local variant of the technique The ancient Hohokam would cultivate crops with low water requirements on marginal land surrounding agricultural fields. Field run-off, especially during heavy rain and flooding events, would provide enough water for these well-adapted plants to thrive without further management. Specifically, Agave and edible weeds such as Amaranth and Goosefoot would be encouraged in these marginal tail-lands to provide a buffer source of nutrients and plant resources. Coordinated planting of Agave creates functional check-dams to direct water runoff into desired areas and allow water to slow enough to permeate into soil. Survival prospects Survival prospects are improved by providing a source of nutrients in off-season or in event of crop failure. Agave can be used as an emergency source of carbohydrates. SOURCES: 1) Johnson, Jolene K. Hohokam Ecology: The Ancient Desert People and Their Environment. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service, 1997. Print. 2) Minnis, Paul E. "Agave." New Lives for Ancient and Extinct Crops. Tucson: U of Arizona, 2014. 116-20. Print. Images Deepening TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE DATA Technique INTEGRATED USE OF MARGINAL AREAS Icon Cathegory A - Silviculture, breeding, hunting and harvesting Identification code A7 Other Local applications of the technique RELATED TECHNIQUES Author: Tynan Hartzell Other authors: Reference: