干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Subsistence links the behavioural and biological dimensions of human adaptability. We perform a cross-cultural investigation over an unpublished database containing approximately 2,700 ethnographic populations. The distribution of those Basic Economies is analysed by Latitude, Temperature and Rainfall. Results show unequal geographic distributions, although the climatic variables are not good discriminators in all cases. Two strategies (Food production with fishing/foraging, and Foraging/fishing) are distinct. The generalist form composed by extensive agriculture, coupled with foraging and fishing, is the most adaptable and widespread form of food acquisition. The exceptions are cold deserts, which foragers/fishers provide the best fit to the marginality concept.