Long-term subsistence adaptation to the diversified Papua New Guinea environment : Human ecological assessments and prospects

Adaptive diversity of Papua New Guinea peoples, represented by population densities varying from less than 1 person to more than 100 persons/km2, is mostly attributable to their agricultural systems in accordance with the natural and sociocultural environment. Comparison of long-term adaptation among several populations selected for highland/lowland status and degree of modernization is expected to clarify the causal relationships and to predict future potential. This article discusses relationships between productivity and sustainability of agriculture and population dynamics in the agrodiversified environment in Papua New Guinea.