Week 4: Notes and Slides (13-15) 1 Flashcards
What is a “paddy field”?
A paddy field is a flooded parcel of arable land used for growing rice, which became a common agricultural practice in Southeast Asia around 1500 BP.
Around what time did rice cultivation in flooded paddy fields become a common practice in Southeast Asia?
a) 5500 BP
b) 2500 BP
c) 1500 BP
d) 500 BP
c
True or False
Statement: Prehistoric agricultural patterns in Southeast Asia were initially similar to those in the Middle East.
Answer: True
Reason: Early Southeast Asian agriculture included crops like wheat and millet, similar to those grown in the Middle East.
How did the adoption of paddy fields represent a “great conceptual leap” in agriculture?
It involved intentionally flooding fields to grow rice, which enhanced soil fertility and allowed for more efficient rice production.
Why is water important in paddy field cultivation?
Water supports rice growth, controls weeds, and encourages nutrient cycling through nitrogen fixation by algae.
What is aquaculture?
Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic organisms like fish and crustaceans, often alongside agriculture, to provide additional food sources and improve soil fertility.
Which of the following is a secondary benefit of aquaculture in paddy fields?
a) Increased soil erosion
b) Reduced water availability
c) Additional protein from fish and crustaceans
d) Lower rice yields
C
How does aquaculture help address soil fertility issues in Southeast Asian agriculture?
Aquaculture adds nutrient-rich water to the soil and promotes algae growth, which fixes nitrogen and enhances soil fertility.
True or False
Statement: By 5500 BP, rice was already being grown on arable land in Southeast Asia.
Answer: True
Reason: Wheat, millet, and rice were among the crops being cultivated on arable land by 5500 BP.
Why was aquaculture particularly beneficial in paddy fields?
Aquaculture provided additional food sources and improved soil fertility by adding nutrients and supporting nitrogen-fixing algae growth.
