Further Reflections on Amazonian Environmental History: Transformations of Rivers and Streams
Author(s)
Raffles, Hugh; WinklerPrins, Antoinette M. G. A.
Abstract
Historically the Amazon has not been an untouched rainforest, nor was the indigenous population rigidly subject to nature. Instead, the people affected the natural environment in many ways. Amazonians commonly modified the river systems. They enlarged river channels, removed waterfalls, converted swamp areas into usable farmland, and redirected water to utilize sediment. Evidence shows extensive water management activities well before the advent of Europeans. Programs of Amazonian conservation should take into account earlier work which was done to shape the landscape.
