Farming systems and nutrient flows - A case of degradation?

This article interprets the geography of an agricultural system in a mountainous area of Tanzania and illuminates the mutual inter-relationships between the human and physical environment. The physical environment influences the type and distribution of agricultural production, and in turn, the indigenous management system and social organisation impact on the quality of the physical environment. Despite the operation of social mechanisms that mitigate against the development of strong social differentiation in this area, the distribution of wealth has a marked spatial effect on land quality. This article focuses on indigenous soil and water conservation and nutrient flows. It identifies an unsustainable practice within the agricultural system.