Man & the Environment of the Llanos Orientales of Colombia

• Main Author: Watts, William
• Format: Others
• Published: TopSCHOLAR® 1986
• Subjects: Geography; Physical and Environmental Geography; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/2953; https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3955&context=theses

The investigation of the problem in this paper dealt with performing an examination of the landscape of the humid tropical wet-dry savanna region of the Llanos of Colombia, in an attempt to record a cultural imprint of man in the twentieth century in that environment. Fieldwork involving two summer traverses of the Llanos yielded an inventory of fresh factual documentation about how man has adapted to and utiliizes this environment. Implementing the ecosystem concept as expressed by Barrows and Hegen, both man and the physical environment were studied to gain as complete a picture of the Llanos as possible. Data was collected and codified pertaining to the daily life of the colonists. Man was found to be interactive with, and therefore an influence upon, the natural environment. He was further found to be making and attempting to improve his level of living in his adaptation and adjustment to the environment. Low levels of diet, health, and education were found to be serious problems for the llaneros.