Earlier quoted context omitted.
Terra preta is formed naturally by falling fruits, leaves and branches that get composted on the soil. There's a agriculture method called agroforestry that make use of this concept, it's very promising for organic farms: https://vimeo.com/146953911 I know a couple of people here who have "dry bathrooms" (or banheiro seco) that is just a bucket to collect the poo, when you poo you cover it with dry leaves or grinded…
The Humanure Handbook ( http://humanurehandbook.com/ ) goes into the specifics of how to build sawdust toilets and manage waste and compost safely. For those even remotely interested, the e-book is only USD$10, and earlier editions are free for the downloading. If you know someone who lives in the country and is interested in off-the-grid living, or is merely serious about gardening, a copy would make for an unusual…
Re: Amazon rainforest was home to millions of people before European arrival
#71I've read this book and strongly recommend it. The subject matter is not the easiest to write about but the author really does a great job, approaching it in an educative and interesting way. He also clearly demonstrates that this is something important to our civilization as a whole and that ignoring it because it is uncomfortable is a mistake.