Unit 5 vocab

Question 1

Acid rain

Answer 1

typically defined as rain, snow, or any other form of precipitation that has a pH level lower than 5.6

Question 2

Agribusiness

Answer 2

defined as the system of commercial farming that is integrated into the global food production and distribution system. It refers to the large-scale business that involves the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products.

Question 3

Agricultural revolution

Answer 3

a major change in human history when there was a significant shift in agricultural practices, leading to more efficient farming techniques and a larger food production.

Question 4

Aquaculture

Answer 4

defined as the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and algae, in controlled environments for commercial purposes. This practice includes activities like fish farming, where species such as salmon, tilapia, and shrimp are raised in tanks or ponds, and other forms of marine or freshwater cultivation.

Question 5

Biotechnology

Answer 5

refers to the use of biological processes, organisms, or systems to develop products or technologies that improve human life or the environment. In agriculture, biotechnology is most commonly associated with the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which are plants or animals that have been altered at the genetic level to exhibit desired traits, such as increased resistance to pests or higher nutritional value.

Question 6

Carrying capacity

Answer 6

carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size of a species that an environment can support sustainably without degrading the environment. In human geography, this concept is applied to understand how many people an area can support based on the resources available, such as food, water, and space, as well as how human activities can impact these resources.

Question 7

Cereal grain

Answer 7

cereal grain refers to the seeds of grass plants that are grown for food. These grains are a staple in the human diet and are essential sources of calories and nutrients in many regions around the world (wheat, rice, corn, etc)

Question 8

Commercial agriculture

Answer 8

refers to the large-scale production of crops and livestock primarily for sale in the market, rather than for personal consumption or local use. It involves farming operations that are designed to generate profit, often using advanced technology, mechanization, and high-input systems to maximize efficiency and yield.

Question 9

Crop rotation

Answer 9

refers to the practice of growing different types of crops in the same field over successive seasons to maintain soil fertility and reduce the risk of pests and diseases. It is a key component of sustainable farming and is used to optimize soil health and improve agricultural yields.

Question 10

Dairy farm

Answer 10

a type of commercial agriculture that specializes in the production of milk and other dairy products such as cheese, butter, and yogurt. Dairy farms are often found in regions with the appropriate climate and resources to support the feeding and care of dairy cattle, such as areas with abundant pastureland or the availability of feed crops.

Question 11

Desertification

Answer 11

desertification refers to the process by which fertile land becomes increasingly arid, unproductive, and barren, often turning into desert-like conditions. This phenomenon is typically caused by a combination of natural processes (such as drought) and human activities (such as overgrazing, deforestation, and improper agricultural practices).

Question 12

Development

Answer 12

development refers to the process through which a country or region improves its economic, social, and political conditions to increase the overall quality of life for its population. Development is often measured through various indicators, such as income, education, health, and access to services.

Question 13

Dietary energy consumption

Answer 13

dietary energy consumption refers to the amount of food energy (measured in calories) consumed by an individual or a population over a specific period of time. It is a key indicator of a population’s food security, nutrition, and overall well-being.

Question 14

Double cropping

Answer 14

double cropping refers to the agricultural practice of growing two crops in the same field during a single growing season. This practice is typically used in regions with a mild climate, long growing seasons, and sufficient water supply, allowing farmers to maximize the use of their land and increase their yields.

Question 15

First agricultural rev

Answer 15

the First Agricultural Revolution refers to the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming and domestication of plants and animals that began around 10,000 BCE.

Question 16

Food security

Answer 16

food security refers to the availability, access, and utilization of sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet the dietary needs and food preferences of individuals at all times. It is a key concept in understanding how people, regions, and countries manage to provide food for their populations and address issues related to hunger and malnutrition.

Question 17

Genetically modified organisms

Answer 17

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. It refers to any organism (plant, animal, or microorganism) whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering techniques to achieve traits that are not naturally present in the species. This modification often involves adding genes from other species to introduce specific characteristics, such as resistance to pests, improved nutritional content, or tolerance to environmental stress.

Question 18

Green revolution

Answer 18

The Green Revolution refers to a period of significant agricultural transformation that took place from the 1940s to the 1960s, primarily in developing countries, which greatly increased food production and helped alleviate hunger. It was driven by the development and adoption of high-yielding varieties of staple crops, especially wheat and rice, alongside the increased use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and advanced irrigation techniques.

Question 19

Greenhouse effect

Answer 19

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. It occurs when certain gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, trap heat from the sun. This process helps maintain the Earth’s temperature at a level suitable for life.

Question 20

Horticulture

Answer 20

refers to the cultivation of plants, primarily for food, medicine, and ornamental purposes. It involves growing fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, and flowers.

Question 21

Hunting and gathering

Answer 21

hunting and gathering refers to the pre-agricultural way of life where humans relied on hunting wild animals, fishing, and gathering wild plants for food, rather than cultivating crops or raising livestock. This method of subsistence was the primary way humans obtained food for tens of thousands of years before the advent of agriculture.

Question 22

Intensive subsistence agriculture

Answer 22

intensive subsistence agriculture refers to a type of agriculture where farmers cultivate small plots of land using significant labor and resources to produce enough food to support their own families or local communities

Question 23

Mediterranean agriculture

Answer 23

the Mediterranean refers to a type of agricultural region and climate zone characterized by specific farming practices and environmental conditions found around the Mediterranean Sea and similar regions globally.(hot, dry summer, mildy wet winters, good for farming grapes, olives, citrus fruits, wheat, vegetables)

Question 24

Metes and bounds system

Answer 24

the metes and bounds system refers to a method of land description used to define the boundaries of a property or parcel of land. This system is based on physical features of the local geography, such as rivers, trees, rocks, or other notable landmarks, combined with directions and distances to outline the perimeter of the property.

Question 25

Milkshed

Answer 25

a milkshed is the geographic area surrounding a city or market where milk can be produced and delivered without spoiling. It refers to the zone from which a dairy farm can supply fresh milk to a market, taking into account the perishability of the product.

Question 26

Monoculture

Answer 26

monoculture refers to the agricultural practice of growing a single crop or raising one type of livestock in a specific area or field over time. This practice is often used for large-scale farming operations because it allows for more efficient production, but it can lead to a reduction in biodiversity and soil depletion over time.

Question 27

Organic agriculture

Answer 27

organic agriculture (or organic farming) refers to a method of farming that avoids the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Instead, organic farming relies on natural processes and materials, such as compost, crop rotation, and biological pest control, to maintain soil fertility and control pests.

Question 28

Overfishing

Answer 28

Overfishing refers to the practice of catching fish or other marine species at a rate faster than they can reproduce and replenish their population. This unsustainable fishing practice leads to the depletion of fish stocks, causing long-term ecological damage to marine ecosystems and threatening the livelihoods of people who depend on fishing.

Question 29

Paddy

Answer 29

a paddy refers to a flooded field used for the cultivation of rice. The term is commonly used to describe the type of wet rice farming typically practiced in parts of Asia, such as Southeast Asia, East Asia, and parts of South Asia.

Question 30

Pastoral nomadism

Answer 30

a type of subsistence farming where people move their herds of domesticated animals (such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels) from one grazing area to another, depending on the season and the availability of water and pasture.

Question 31

Plantation agriculture

Answer 31

plantation agriculture refers to a type of large-scale commercial farming that focuses on the production of a single cash crop for export. It typically occurs in tropical or subtropical regions with a warm climate and a long growing season. (Typically in the poorer countries because these consists of low paid workers or slaves)

Question 32

Ranching

Answer 32

ranching refers to a type of commercial agriculture where livestock, such as cattle, sheep, or goats, are raised primarily for meat, wool, or milk production

Question 33

Renewable resources

Answer 33

renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished or renewed naturally over time, either through natural processes or by human intervention, as long as they are used at a sustainable rate.

Question 34

Ridge tillage

Answer 34

ridge tillage refers to an agricultural practice where crops are planted on ridges (elevated rows of soil) rather than in flat fields.

Question 35

Sawah

Answer 35

a sawah refers to a flooded rice field used for growing rice in regions with wet, tropical climates. The term is commonly associated with traditional wet rice farming methods practiced in parts of Southeast Asia, South Asia, and other regions with a similar climate.

Question 36

Second agricultural revolution

Answer 36

refers to a period of significant technological advancements in farming that began in the 17th century and continued through the 19th century. This revolution greatly improved agricultural productivity and efficiency, paving the way for the Industrial Revolution.

Question 37

Shifting cultivation

Answer 37

Shifting cultivation is a broader agricultural system where farmers rotate from one plot of land to another after a few years of farming. It involves clearing a new plot (often using slash-and-burn methods) and then allowing the previous plot to fallow (rest and regenerate naturally).

Question 38

Slash and burn agriculture

Answer 38

Slash-and-burn is a method of land preparation in which forests or vegetation are cut down and then burned to clear the land. The burning of the vegetation releases nutrients into the soil, which helps fertilize the crops for the short term.

Question 39

Soil erosion

Answer 39

In AP Human Geography, soil erosion refers to the process by which the topsoil, which is vital for growing crops, is worn away due to natural forces such as wind, water, and ice, or human activities like agriculture, deforestation, and construction.

Question 40

Subsistence agriculture

Answer 40

Subsistence agriculture is a type of farming where crops and livestock are grown or raised primarily for the farmer's own consumption rather than for sale or trade. The goal is to produce enough food to feed the farmer's family or local community, with little or no surplus for the market.

Question 41

Sustainability

Answer 41

sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or improve the quality of life for current and future generations without depleting or damaging natural resources and ecosystems.

Question 42

Transhumance

Answer 42

transhumance refers to the seasonal movement of livestock between different areas, typically from lower altitudes in the winter to higher altitudes in the summer, and vice versa. It is a form of pastoral nomadism where herders move their animals, such as sheep, goats, or cattle, to take advantage of different grazing opportunities depending on the season.

Question 43

Truck farming

Answer 43

truck farming refers to the commercial production of fruits and vegetables for local markets and urban areas. The term "truck" comes from an old English word meaning trade or exchange, rather than the modern sense of a vehicle.

Question 44

Undernourishment

Answer 44

undernourishment refers to a condition in which people do not consume enough calories or nutrients to meet the minimum daily energy requirements needed for a healthy and active life. This can be a result of insufficient food supply, poor access to nutritious food, or inefficient food distribution.

Question 45

Von thunen model

Answer 45

The Von Thünen Model explains how the spatial arrangement of agricultural activities is influenced by transportation costs and land values around a central market. It proposes that more valuable and perishable crops are grown closer to the market, while less perishable and lower-value crops are grown farther away. Though the model is simplified and does not account for all real-world factors, it provides an important framework for understanding agricultural land use patterns. ( market, dairy fruits vegetables, forests, grains, ranching in the newer model forest goes to the outer ring

Question 46

Johan von thunen

Answer 46

In summary, Johann Heinrich von Thünen was an economist whose work on land use and agricultural economics significantly influenced modern geography, providing insights into how agriculture is organized around markets based on practical economic principles.