Final answer:
Food production in tribal societies is generally less intensified compared to modern agricultural systems, with a focus on meeting local needs. Tribes demonstrate sustainable practices, a varied diet, and low-energy food production methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is food production in a tribe highly or lowly intensified? This can vary depending on many factors, including societal organization, environment, and technological developments. Typically, food production in tribal societies is not as intensified as in modern agricultural systems. A look at historical and anthropological evidence shows that in tribes relying on horticulture or pastoralism, the production of food tends to meet local consumption needs with minimal surplus. Intensification of agriculture in such contexts occurs with the development of more complex systems, like irrigation and terracing. Nonetheless, the energy input from human labor in such traditional farming is significantly lower compared to the industrial agricultural methods where the energy used vastly exceeds the energy content of the food produced.
It is also noteworthy that tribal societies often exhibit more varied and flexible diets adjusted seasonally, a practice from which current global societies facing food security challenges could learn. For instance, the concept of sustainable farming as practiced by groups like the Haudenosaunee showcases a valuable approach. However, with global population growth and climate change impacting agricultural productivity, modern societies rely heavily on intensive farming to sustain food supply, often requiring significant energy input from fossil fuels and leading to a variety of ecological consequences.