Human Geography Advanced Info Flashcards
Explain the trend in global food production in the past 60 years and why
Increased globally
Area of land used for farming has increased since 1965
Increased due to technological advances that have meant that more food can be produced from less land
Explain the trend in locations for food production
East Asia and North America = lots of food production
- climates are good for farming
- widespread investment in farming
Central America and Africa
- lack of resources and funding for farming equipment
- large areas that are unsuitable for farming as they are mountainous or have poor quality soil such as the desert
- unsuitable climates- some areas do not get enough rainfall or are too hot
Explain the trend in global food consumption
Global food consumption is increasing
Food consumption per person is also increasing because as the world becomes more economically developed people are eating more
Explain the global distribution in food consumption
Europe and America- consume a lot
- large variety of foods
- culture of consumerism
- high disposable incomes so can afford more food
Africa and South America- less developed areas
- consume less food per person
- can’t afford as much food
China and other emerging countries are consuming more as their wealth increases
Some variations within countries due to deprivation
Explain the make up of diets and variation between countries
Meat costs more than a vegetarian diet
Meat makes up a bigger proportion of developed countries
Give a fact regarding meat consumption between developed and developing countries
- 7kg in developed countries between 2013-2015
26. 6kg in developing countries between 2013-2015
What is leading to a rise in obesity globally?
Increased intake of energy- dense foods
Increased sedentary lifestyle
What type of system is a farm and why?
An open system
Energy and matter can be lost or gained from the environment
Give some inputs into a farm system
Climate, relief, soil fertility, drainage, labour, seeds, agrochemicals
Give some flows in a farm system
Growing crops
Rearing livestock
Daily routines
Gives some outputs of a farm system
Crops
Livestock
Livestock products
Give some feedbacks within the farm system
Profit for reinvestment
Manure for fertiliser
Hay and silage for fodder
What is agricultural productivity?
A measure of the amount that is produced in an area
Measure of agricultural outputs in comparison to agricultural inputs
Give the 5 main types of farming
Commercial farming Subsistence farming Intensive farming Extensive farming Nomadic farming
What is commercial farming?
The production of crops or livestock to create a profit
Often involves specialisation through monoculture
High investment of capital
High agricultural productivity
More common in developed countries than in developing countries
What is subsistence farming?
The direct production of sufficient food to feed family or community involved with any excess sold or bartered
Common in Africa (Nomadic pastoralism) and Asia
What is intensive farming?
High investment in labour and/or capital such as machinery, glasshouses and irrigation systems
High yields per hectare
Eg. horticulture in south-west England and the Netherlands
What is extensive farming?
Low inputs of labour, machinery and capital but involves large areas of land
Produces less food
Less environmental impact and more ethical food production
Eg. hill sheep in upland regions of UK
Give the 5 physical environment factors that are influencing agriculture
Temperature- dictates the length of the growing seson
Precipitation- determines water supply and affects the growth of many plants
Wind- restricts cultivation of grain crops
Soil quality- vulnerability to leaching influences the nutritional value of the soil
Relief
What is arable farming?
The farming of cereal and root crops on flatter land where soils are of higher quality
What is pastoral farming?
Livestock rearing
What is nomadic farming?
Farmers moving from place to place to grow crops or graze animals on different land