I think one potential research question that I would possibly like to follow is how the colonization of Latin America changed the environment. I think this is important to study because this time period of colonialism is when environments started to change and really be disturbed by humans. I know that many of the indigenous empires did farm and cultivate the lands, so I am also curious about how the Europeans changed the way that the native people used land. We also know that because of the die-off of millions of people during this time caused the land to be reclaimed by forests and cooled the atmosphere. I am excited to learn more about different environmental changes.
This is a great topic, and I love the way you’re building on your interests. Chinampas might be a great place to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinampa
Or for maize, look here: http://0-search.credoreference.com.dewey2.library.denison.edu/content/entry/routmex/maize/0?institutionId=4607