A DISCUSSION ON SWIDDEN AGRICULTURE IN XISHUANGBANNA
论西双版纳的轮歇农业

The concept and characteristics of swidden agriculture are discussed,the status and types of swidden agriculture in Xishuangbanna are studied,and the ecological consequences of swidden agriculture are indicated. It is suggested that further research is needed concerning practices of swidden agriculture and its alternatives and recovering techniques.Swidden agriculture is a kind of old fasioned cultivated method with low output,characterized by fir burning and fallow orops.Swidden agriculture in Xishuangbanna involves four kinds which are sustained,sag,alterable and intensive and careful cultivation. The sag and alterable swidden agriculture are the major ones in Xishuangbanna. With growing population and reducing area of fallow and cultivated land,swidden agriculture has caused damage to tropical rain forest and environment,resulting in loss of soil and water and land degradation. Investigations show that soil degenerates rapidly after being burnt and the rehabilitation rate is slow.After 3 to 5 years,the fallow lands have to be burnt again in Xishuangbanna, but the microbial population and nutrient contents in soil and plant biomass are low, burning again will result in soil degradation. The study and use of agroforestry systems may be a method to reclaim swidden agriculture.