Farming, Nature Flashcards
To learn related words
livestock
(noun) any animals raised on the farm
markets for the trading of livestock
pesticides
(noun) a substance to kill any pest, including weeds, insects, and fungi
The overuse of pesticides could poison the crops.
More: herbicides, insecticides
farming
(noun) the activity or business of growing crops and raising livestock.
Intensive farming could be detrimental to the soil.
(verb) make one’s living by growing crops or keeping livestock.
He has farmed for five years.
Sustainable Farming: farming which avoids soil erosion and pollution: it does not destroy the land for future generations.
organic produce/farming
producing foods without the use of laboratory-made fertilizers, growth substances, or pesticides
organic matter
the dead plants, animals and manure converted by earthworms and bacteria into humus
fertile/infertile/fertility/fertilize/fertilizer
cause (an egg, female animal, or plant) to develop a new individual by introducing male reproductive material.
Biologists knew from studies on a wide range of animals that males compete with other males to fertilize eggs and that females choose potential mates based on the males’ appearance and, perhaps, even on their sperm.
More: synthetic fertilizers
biological pest control
Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests such as insects, mites, weeds and plant diseases using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically also involves an active human management role. It can be an important component of integrated pest management (IPM) programs.
There are three basic strategies for biological pest control: classical (importation), where a natural enemy of a pest is introduced in the hope of achieving control; inductive (augmentation), in which a large population of natural enemies is administered for quick pest control; and inoculative (conservation), in which measures are taken to maintain natural enemies through regular reestablishment.
crop yield
or “agricultural output” / rendimento da colheita
The crop yield was not enough this month.
yield
(noun) the amount of a crop produced in a given time or from a given place / “produção, rendimento”
(verb) to produce or provide
their farm yields tomatoes and bananas
biodiversity
the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
To discover the patterns of biodiversity, information on biodiversity has to be collected.
The area is identified as an important hotspot of biodiversity and management of the protected area.
More: plant biodiversity
genetically modified crops
paraphrase: GM food products
Good because:
those foods can be modified to last longer and expanding food supply. The food production might be massively increased by making crops more resistant to pests. Lastly, foods can be improved by adding vitamins and removing genes that may cause allergies in humans, such as peanuts.
Bad because:
long-term effects are unknown. It could be detrimental to human beings and the environment, threatening its biodiversity. The industry still cannot prove they are safe. It could contaminate nearby plants.
Opinion: Obvious benefits, but further studies must be done to assure the wholesomeness of GM crops.
rural/urban
rural = countryside, rural areas, outside/far from the city, agricultural communities
urban = city, suburban, metropolitan, big cities, central business district - CBD
natural disasters
flood, typhoon, volcanoes (volcanic eruptions), drought, earthquake, tsunami, hurricanes, wildfire (caused by lightning or drought but also by human negligence and arson)
waste disposal - recycling - landfill
waste disposal = litter (trash disposal improperly in an open or public space), refuse, garbage, rubbish, trash
recycling = reuse, reprocess
landfill (noun and verb) = area where the rubbish is buried - “aterro”
The school will landfill its old computers.
biofuels
A renewable source of energy made from plants grown today, such as corn and sugarcane - unlike fossil fuels, which are made from decomposed plants buried in the soil.
