Decline of soil fertility due to intensification of land use by shifting agriculturists in Belize, Central America

Abstract

Intensification of land use by shifting Maya agriculturists in Belize, Central America, has led to a decline in soil fertility and crop yields. Examination of eleven nutrients in crop plants and soil, and changes in nutrient levels with the length of the cropping period, indicated that phosphorus was the limiting factor for plant growth. Physical analyses of the soil and visual evidence suggested that erosion is a contributing factor to declining soil quality. A variety of solutions to the infertility problem are discussed.