Field-pond-alternating economy
The field Pond shifting cultivation is a traditional form of agriculture . This form of alternating economy was practiced in almost all pond areas in Central Europe in the pre-industrial era.
Field-pond alternation is characterized by the fact that an area mainly used as a pond was drained at mostly irregular intervals and then used for arable farming for a period of time that was usually one or two years. The aim was not to increase the yield of the field, but to improve the fish yield. A fertilizing effect was mainly caused by the dead plant parts. If legumes were planted, nitrogen fixation also occurred in the soil, which also had a positive effect on the fish yield. The fact that this form of management destroyed fish parasites and prevented the ponds from becoming too weed played only a minor role .
The emergence of the field-pond alternation is demand- driven. Fish played a major role as a fasting food in Christianized Central Europe . Due to the numerous days of fasting , the demand for fish was very high. Large pond systems, some of which were operated in the field-pond alternation, were mainly built around large monasteries. This form of pond management is an intensive form. Most of these large pond systems no longer exist today. Where they still exist, they are mostly used extensively .