Soil knowledge

Fraser, James Angus (2018) Soil knowledge. In: The International Encyclopedia of Anthropology. Wiley. ISBN 9780470657225

Abstract

This entry argues for a renewed anthropological engagement with local soil knowledge against a backdrop of industrial agriculture in crisis. It discusses the idea that one example of local soil knowledge, anthropogenic dark earths (ADE), could be a potential solution to this crisis. It argues that, while there is merit in this argument, ADE should be conceived of as a form of “limited good” and so cannot be simply scaled up under our current “unlimited growth” model of development.