Read the following excerpt from a journalistic article discussing water management in southern Spain:
For over a thousand years, the *acequias de careo*—an intricate network of gravity-fed irrigation channels carved into the slopes of Spain’s Sierra Nevada by Moorish farmers—have quietly sustained the region's agriculture. By diverting meltwater from high-altitude streams and allowing it to slowly filter through the mountain rock, this ancient system acts as a natural sponge, replenishing aquifers and feeding springs lower down the valleys. In recent decades, however, rural depopulation and the rise of intensive, industrial farming led to the abandonment of many channels. Today, as climate change intensifies droughts across Andalusia, a growing coalition of local farmers, scientists, and environmentalists is working to restore these historic waterways. While critics argue that modern drip irrigation and reservoirs are more efficient for large-scale production, advocates of the *acequias* emphasize their ecological benefits, such as promoting biodiversity and preventing soil erosion. This revival is not merely a nostalgic retreat to the past, but a pragmatic recognition that traditional ecological knowledge can offer resilient, low-cost solutions to contemporary climate challenges. Rebuilding these channels suggests that progress does not always require high-tech interventions, but rather a deeper harmony with the natural cycles of the landscape.
Based on the passage, which of the following best describes the author’s primary purpose in writing this article?
- ATo outline the historical origin and engineering details of Moorish water management networks in Spain.
- To advocate for the integration of traditional ecological systems as a viable response to modern environmental crises.Answer
- CTo argue that modern agricultural technology is inherently destructive and should be completely banned in Andalusia.
- DTo demonstrate that traditional irrigation methods guarantee higher crop yields than modern reservoirs.