The Concept of Carrying Capacity for Systems of Shifting Cultivation 1

Abstract

The concept of carrying capacity is related to homeostatic regulation as part of the “new ecology” paradigm. Formulas designed to measure the man‐land balance of tropical horticulturalists reveal two problem areas. Theoretically, the relationship between homeostasis, change, and evolution remains indefinite. Methodologically, there are substantial difficulties in defining cultural and environmental components of the formula and in obtaining diachronic data to test the concept.