Post #1720557

Thought of another relevant term! "swidden" or "slash and burn" agriculture -- once trees have collected that trickle of geological nutrients*, you can cut and/or burn them, leave the ash in the field, and the nutrients will support annual crops (most of what we eat) for a while. If you have lots of land, you then leave the exhausted field fallow until mature trees are on it again. If you don't, the soil "wears out". *C and N from atmosphere; all else from rock; biosphere "juggles" @siderea