AP Environmental > topics 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.15 > Flashcards
topics 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.15 Flashcards
the process of supplying water to areas of land to make them suitable for growing crops
irrigation
The practice of using small pipes that slowly drip water just above ground to conserve water to use for crops
drip irrigation
Water is poured through canals and waterways so that it flows through fields
flood irrigation
Easy and inexpensive; 65% efficient; farmer digs trenches along the crop rows and fills them with water, which seeps into the ground and provides moisture to plant roots
furrow irrigation
Expensive and energy-consuming; 75-95% efficient; water is pumped from a well into an apparatus that contains a series of spray nozzles that spray water across the field
spray irrigation
Water moves over and across the land by gravity flow in order to wet and infiltrate the soil
surface irigation
Saturation of soil with irrigation water or excessive precipitation so that the water table rises close to the surface
waterlogging
World’s largest aquifer; under parts of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas (the Midwest). Holds enough water to cover the U.S. with 1.5 feet of water. Being depleted for agricultural and urban use.
ogallala aquifer
Irrigation technique that allows 80% of the water input to reach crops
conventional center-pivot irrigation
Accumulation of salts in soil that can eventually make the soil unable to support plant growth.
salinization
A broad-spectrum poison that kills a wide range of organisms.
biocides
A body of rock or sediment that stores groundwater and allows the flow of groundwater.
aquifer
Rapid diffusion of new agricultural technology, especially new high-yield seeds and fertilizers.
green revolution
Hybrid or genetically modified crops that produce a higher yield
high yield variety crops
An agricultural method that utilizes large plantings of a single species or variety
monocropping
The turning-over of soil before planting.
tilling
A farming method involving the cutting of trees, then burning them to provide ash-enriched soil for the planting of crops
slash & burn
Plowing fields along the curves of a slope to prevent soil loss
contour plowing
Creating flat platforms in the hillside that provide a level planting surface, which reduces soil runoff from the slope.
terracing
Crops that do not die off once harvested (annual crops), existing for years before reseeding may be required.
perennial crops
Belts of trees along field edges to reduce wind erosion
windbreaks
Refers to when farmers plant seeds without using a plow to turn the soil.
no till
Planting regular crops and close-growing plants, such as hay or nitrogen-fixing legumes, in alternating rows or bands to help reduce depletion of soil nutrients.
strip cropping
The practice of rotating use of different fields from crop to crop each year, to avoid exhausting the soil.
crop rotation
Freshly cut or still-growing green vegetation that is plowed into the soil to increase the organic matter and humus available to support crop growth
green manure
Cattle are confined by portable fencing to one area for a short time and then moved to a new location
rotational grazing
Farmers need to make many decisions about how they grow their crops. One of these decisions is whether to use synthetic fertilizer or organic fertilizer, such as manure.
An advantage of using synthetic fertilizer instead of organic fertilizer is that
a. synthetic fertilizer can provide more targeted macronutrients to the crops
b. synthetic fertilizer remains in the soil longer than organic fertilizer does, reducing the volume needed and, therefore, the cost to the farmer
c. synthetic fertilizer adds to soil texture and increases the soil’s water-holding capacity
d. organic fertilizer runs off more readily into waterways, leading to nutrient overload
a. synthetic fertilizer can provide more targeted macronutrients to the crops
A vegetable farmer wishes to switch to a combination of trees and vegetables (agroforestry) on several hectares of her land to reduce erosion and to diversify what she grows. She needs to assess whether her land can produce as much income by growing two crops instead of one. The farmer estimates that the new tree crop would cover 40 percent of her fields, with the vegetable crop covering the other 60 percent. Which equation should she use to calculate how much total income she would get from using the new two-crop plan?
a. ($ income trees / ha * 0.4) + ($ income veg / ha * 0.6) = agroforestry income
b. ($ income trees / ha * 0.4) + ($ income veg / ha * total ha * 0.4) = agroforestry income
c. ($ income veg * 0.4) + ($ income trees * 0.6) = agroforestry income
d. ($ income trees / ha * total ha * 0.4) + ($ income veg / ha * total ha * 0.6) = agroforestry income
e. total income from old crop * 0.4 = agroforestry income
c. ($ income veg * 0.4) + ($ income trees * 0.6) = agroforestry income
When a rain forest is slashed and burned, the local concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases. This is primarily due to
a. changes in the local climate
b. oxidation of carbon compounds
c. cellular respiration of rain-forest plants
d. erosion of exposed soil
e. carbon dioxide being released by anaerobic organisms
b. oxidation of carbon compounds
Factors contributing to the rise in world hunger include all of the following EXCEPT
a. unequal distribution of available food supplies
b. loss of or decline in arable land
c. increasing rate of population growth
d. increasing poverty in developing countries
e. increasing consumption of vegetable protein in place of meat protein
e. increasing consumption of vegetable protein in place of meat protein
Which of the following is the most likely result from clearing mature, forested land and converting it into agricultural land that would be used for cattle grazing?
a. There will be a decrease in the amount of runoff into nearby streams.
b. There will be a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
c. There will be an increase in the diversity and size of primary producers.
d. There will be a reduction in the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
d. There will be a reduction in the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Which of the following problems is best addressed with contour plowing?
a. eutrophication
b. denitrification
c. the pesticide treadmill
d. soil erosion
e. soil salinization
d. soil erosion
Which of the following statements about genetic diversity is true?
a. Genetic uniformity of a crop increases the crop’s overall resistance to pests and disease.
b. Genetic resistance to pests and diseases can be increased by crossing a crop plant with ancestral varieties.
c. Genetic engineering technology is used to increase genetic diversity by creating new species with synthetic genes.
d. Genetic diversity within populations of common crop species such as corn is typically high.
e. Genetic diversity is usually high in endangered species.
b. Genetic resistance to pests and diseases can be increased by crossing a crop plant with ancestral varieties.
A major environmental problem caused by using the agricultural practice of tilling is
a. eutrophication from excessive fertilizer use
b. ozone depletion from fossil fuel use
c. intercropping by traditional farmers
d. compaction of soil from adding compost
a. eutrophication from excessive fertilizer use
Which of the following methods of agricultural irrigation results in the loss of the least amount of water by evaporation?
a. Conventional center-pivot irrigation
b. Drip irrigation
c. Laser-level irrigation
d. Flood irrigation
e. Gravity-flow irrigation
b. Drip irrigation
Which of the following statements identifies a concern associated with the increased proportion of GM crops being grown?
a. Planting GM crops results in reduced crop yield, which causes more land to be put into production.
b. Use of GM seeds can lead to loss of genetic diversity in crops.
c. GM crops cannot be grown in marginal soils.
d. Runoff from GM crop fields can lead to increased eutrophication.
e. GM crops cannot withstand herbicide application, reducing crop yield.
b. Use of GM seeds can lead to loss of genetic diversity in crops.
Which of the following statements best explains the relationship shown on the graph?
a. Increased use of glyphosate herbicides kills more weeds and thus leads to higher crop yields.
b. The use of glyphosate herbicides has decreased because it has been shown to be ineffective in killing weeds.
c. The use of glyphosate has selected for herbicide resistance in weed populations.
d. The use of glyphosate herbicides has decreased because the cost of the herbicides has increased.
e. Increased use of glyphosate herbicides correlates to increased agricultural profit.
c. The use of glyphosate has selected for herbicide resistance in weed populations.
Which of the following describes a fundamental characteristic of the green revolution in food resources?
a. The application of higher levels of organic fertilizers to increase rice production
b. Deforestation to provide field crops with increased sunlight for photosynthesis
c. The addition of calorie, fat, and fiber percentage to the information provided on food package labels
d. The development of new strains of crops with higher yields
e. The discovery that chlorophyll adds nutritional value to wheat, rice, and sorghum
d. The development of new strains of crops with higher yields
Farmers use various methods of irrigation on crops. Which of the following statements correctly pairs an irrigation method with an advantage or disadvantage?
a. Drip irrigation is readily used in large-scale farming because of the low cost associated with this method.
b. Flood irrigation is often used in agricultural fields, however, it increases surface erosion and salinization of the soil.
c. Furrow irrigation is a method in which farmers plant two different types of crops in alternating strips which increases productivity.
d. Spray irrigation loses the least amount of water to evaporation.
b. Flood irrigation is often used in agricultural fields, however, it increases surface erosion and salinization of the soil.
Which of the following irrigation methods is most likely to result in salinization of the soil, especially if the agricultural fields are located in a warm climate with consistent sunlight?
a. spray irrigation
b. furrow irrigation
c. flood irrigation
d. drip irrigation
b. furrow irrigation
Long-term intensive agriculture that does not add soil amendments such as manure or fertilizer has been shown to decrease soil organic matter content. Which of the following figures best shows this relationship?
a. soil organic matter & pH = straight down
b. soil organic matter & time = straight up
c. soil organic matter & time = curvy down
d. soil organic matter & soil depth = curvy up
e. soil organic matter & crop production = curvy up
c. soil organic matter & time = curvy down
In recent years, farm production has stopped growing in the United States, and agriculture research is no longer a priority; it constitutes only 2 percent of federal research and development spending. And, according to the Department of Agriculture, total agricultural production has slowed significantly since the turn of the century. We need another ambitious surge in agricultural science.
Experience has shown that the best way forward is funding research through a competitive process. There is a program in the Agriculture Department that embraces these tenets, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, and its research grants show great promise.
New, hardier varieties of corn are being developed from tropical species that can better withstand heat, drought and changes to the environment. The probiotics found in fermented products like yogurt are being tested to replace antibiotics used in animal husbandry. And nanotechnology and electrified micro-coatings of water are being applied to some produce, to prevent food poisoning. Government research is even exploring how to double the rate of photosynthesis and eliminate the need for pesticides.
The potential is great, but the program has never been fully funded. Despite a $25 million increase in the omnibus budget agreement, the budget of the department’s research initiative sits at half of what Congress authorized in 2008 when it created the program.
Now more than ever, we need to embrace twenty-first century science, fund it and turn it loose so we can develop better methods of putting food on the table. Our world is changing; the way we grow and produce food needs a much richer diet of scientific ingenuity to keep pace.
From the New York Times. © 2016 The New York Times. All rights reserved.
Which of the following statements best identifies the author’s assumptions in terms of a new green revolution?
a. The global demand for food has remained constant since the 1940s, and therefore there has been minimal pressure to change agricultural practices.
b. Most current farming practices are eliminating mechanization and increasing profits.
c. New advances in agricultural technology will need government regulations in order to become effective for large-scale farming operations.
d. Current agricultural practices and strategies need to be evaluated in order to meet the demand for increased food production.
d. Current agricultural practices and strategies need to be evaluated in order to meet the demand for increased food production.
In recent years, farm production has stopped growing in the United States, and agriculture research is no longer a priority; it constitutes only 2 percent of federal research and development spending. And, according to the Department of Agriculture, total agricultural production has slowed significantly since the turn of the century. We need another ambitious surge in agricultural science.
Experience has shown that the best way forward is funding research through a competitive process. There is a program in the Agriculture Department that embraces these tenets, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, and its research grants show great promise.
New, hardier varieties of corn are being developed from tropical species that can better withstand heat, drought and changes to the environment. The probiotics found in fermented products like yogurt are being tested to replace antibiotics used in animal husbandry. And nanotechnology and electrified micro-coatings of water are being applied to some produce, to prevent food poisoning. Government research is even exploring how to double the rate of photosynthesis and eliminate the need for pesticides.
The potential is great, but the program has never been fully funded. Despite a $25 million increase in the omnibus budget agreement, the budget of the department’s research initiative sits at half of what Congress authorized in 2008 when it created the program.
Now more than ever, we need to embrace twenty-first century science, fund it and turn it loose so we can develop better methods of putting food on the table. Our world is changing; the way we grow and produce food needs a much richer diet of scientific ingenuity to keep pace.
From the New York Times. © 2016 The New York Times. All rights reserved.
Which of the following statements best identifies the author’s perspective in terms of government funding for future agricultural research?
a. Funding should be obtained primarily through environmental conservation agencies.
b. There is no need for additional funding because the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative has received a $25 million increase since 2008.
c. More funding is continually needed because the agricultural research programs have never been completely financially supported.
d. Funding should be primarily obtained from the private sector and not from the federal government.
c. More funding is continually needed because the agricultural research programs have never been completely financially supported.
In recent years, farm production has stopped growing in the United States, and agriculture research is no longer a priority; it constitutes only 2 percent of federal research and development spending. And, according to the Department of Agriculture, total agricultural production has slowed significantly since the turn of the century. We need another ambitious surge in agricultural science.
Experience has shown that the best way forward is funding research through a competitive process. There is a program in the Agriculture Department that embraces these tenets, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, and its research grants show great promise.
New, hardier varieties of corn are being developed from tropical species that can better withstand heat, drought and changes to the environment. The probiotics found in fermented products like yogurt are being tested to replace antibiotics used in animal husbandry. And nanotechnology and electrified micro-coatings of water are being applied to some produce, to prevent food poisoning. Government research is even exploring how to double the rate of photosynthesis and eliminate the need for pesticides.
The potential is great, but the program has never been fully funded. Despite a $25 million increase in the omnibus budget agreement, the budget of the department’s research initiative sits at half of what Congress authorized in 2008 when it created the program.
Now more than ever, we need to embrace twenty-first century science, fund it and turn it loose so we can develop better methods of putting food on the table. Our world is changing; the way we grow and produce food needs a much richer diet of scientific ingenuity to keep pace.
From the New York Times. © 2016 The New York Times. All rights reserved.
Which of the following statements best identifies the author’s perspective in terms of utilizing science technology for future agricultural advances?
a. Using new science technologies to advance agriculture should be done cautiously to avoid unintended, negative consequences.
b. The only way to meet the global demand for more food is to fully utilize new science technologies to advance agriculture.
c. New science technologies may not suffice in advancing agriculture into the twenty-first century.
d. Using new science technologies to advance agriculture should be completely avoided because most technologies are too costly.
b. The only way to meet the global demand for more food is to fully utilize new science technologies to advance agriculture.
Which of the following is likely to minimize soil erosion?
a. high-yield crops
b. deforestation
c. herbicide use
d. annual plowing
e. no-till agriculture
e. no-till agriculture
Which of the following practices is consistent with the production of organic crops according to the United States Department of Agriculture?
a. Using sodium nitrate as a fertilizer on green, leafy vegetables
b. Using strychnine to prevent buildup of aphid populations in field crops
c. Using chemicals known as pheromones to disrupt insect mating cycles
d. Using sewage sludge to improve the fertility and structure of soil
e. Using genetically modified plant varieties that kill insects that chew their leaves
c. Using chemicals known as pheromones to disrupt insect mating cycles
Which of the following best represents the percent of water that is used for various purposes worldwide?
a. agriculture - 10%
industrial and municipal - 20%
residential and commercial - 70%
b. agriculture - 20%
industrial and municipal - 30%
residential and commercial - 50%
c. agriculture - 30%
industrial and municipal - 50%
residential and commercial - 20%
d. agriculture - 50%
industrial and municipal - 10%
residential and commercial - 40%
e. agriculture - 70%
industrial and municipal - 20%
residential and commercial - 10%
e. agriculture - 70%
industrial and municipal - 20%
residential and commercial - 10%
Which of the following statements best explains the graphs above?
a. The price of cotton is high because cotton growing uses a lot of water.
b. Fruits and vegetables give the greatest monetary return per water usage.
c. Raising cattle for consumption uses few resources.
d. The amount of livestock exceeds the amount of fruits and vegetables grown.
e. People consume more vegetables than they do rice.
b. Fruits and vegetables give the greatest monetary return per water usage.
Which of the following procedures would be best for remediating the effects of soil salinization?
a. Application of broad-spectrum biocides to kill microorganisms
b. Application of superphosphate to increase soil fertility
c. Addition of clay to increase soil water-holding capacity
d. Addition of large amounts of water to leach out salts
e. Addition of lime to raise soil pH
d. Addition of large amounts of water to leach out salts
A farmer grows several crops on a farm that has mostly shallow, sandy soil. Which of the following irrigation methods would be the best suited for this farm?
a. drip irrigation
b. flood irrigation
c. surface irrigation
d. furrow irrigation
a. drip irrigation
Which of the following is true of the Ogallala Aquifer?
a. It underlies the African Serengeti and supplies millions of people with freshwater.
b. It underlies the Argentine Pampas and is underutilized as a source of water.
c. It underlies eastern Quebec and is a limited source of freshwater.
d. It underlies the United States High Plains and is being depleted by overuse.
e. It underlies central Florida and is contaminated by pesticide and fertilizer runoff from farms.
d. It underlies the United States High Plains and is being depleted by overuse.
Which of the following represents a correct pairing of an agricultural practice with its environmental consequence?
a. Paddy rice cultivation and methane emissions
b. Plowing under cover crops and nutrient depletion
c. Organic corn cultivation and pesticide accumulation
d. No-till farming and increased soil erosion
e. Planting vegetated buffers on stream banks and increased levels of nonpoint-source pollution
a. Paddy rice cultivation and methane emissions
