Unit 5 Flashcards
- Define agriculture.
The deliberate modification of the Earth’s surface through the cultivation of plants and rearing of animals to obtain sustenance or economic gain
Tropical
Indonesia or countries in Africa near the equator Coffee, sugar, pineapple
Subtropical
West Indies or parts of Indonesia Rice, cotton, tobacco
- Describe intensive agricultural practices.
Practices that often require less land but more capital and labor, and are traditionally located closer to larger population centers
Dry (Grasslands/ Continental Steppe)
Mongolia, or the western portion of the United States
Cattle, sheep, goats, horses, camels
Mediterranean
California, Chile, or geographic areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea
Grapes, olives, dates
Warm Mid-Latitude
Southern China and the Southern United States Vegetables, fruits, rice
Cold Mid-Latitude
North-central part of the United States, southern, Canada, and eastern Europe Wheat, barley, livestock
- Describe intensive agricultural practices.
Practices that often require less land but more capital and labor, and are traditionally
located closer to larger population centers
Plantation
Tropical & subtropical Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia Cotton, sugarcane, coffee, rubber, tobacco, bananas, tea, coconuts, palm oil Large commercial farms in developing countries focus on one or two crops. Owned by companies in developed countries. Products are sent to the MDCs from the plantation
Market Gardening
Southeastern United States, Southeastern Australia Apples, asparagus, cherries, lettuce, mushrooms, tomatoes Long growing season and a humid climate. Most of the food is processed, canned, or frozen, then sent out to the markets on trucks
Mixed Crop/ livestock
Central Europe, the United States Midwest Corn, soybeans, beef, eggs, milk, pork Crops, and livestock are integrated. Crops are fed to animals; animals supply manure to improve the sail. The majority of farmers’ income comes from selling animals
- Describe extensive agricultural practices.
Practices that tend to use less labor and capital, require more land for the production of food, and are traditionally located farther away from population centers
Shifting Cultivation
Southeast Asia, South America, sub-Saharan Africa Rice, maize, millet, sorghum, cassava Farmers clear land for planting; farms grow crops on the cleared land, after nutrients are depleted the land is left to fallow.
Nomadic Herding
Southwest Asia, North Africa, Central Asia, East Asia Sheep, goats, camels, horses (grain is obtained through trade) Farmers migrate with their animals across the landscape
Ranching
Western North America, Southeast Latin America, Central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, South Pacific Cattle, sheep, goats Originally, ranching was focused on the free-range herding of animals. Today, more ranchers have shifted to closed fields, or in places like the United States CAFOS and industrial systems.
- Explain how the physical environment can influence the type of agriculture practiced in a location.
In places with a dry air climate, farmers are forced to practice pastoral nomadism due to a lack of arable land. In places with a longer growing season and a mild climate, horticulture is more popular. In regions with more access to arable land, more sedentary agriculture is practiced.
Long Lot
A narrow parcel of land that traditionally connects to a waterway. (Originally popular in Europe and areas settled by the French, such as Louisiana and Quebec)
Metes & Bounds
Boundaries based on landmarks in a geographic area. Metes are the lines used to create the boundary and bounds are the key geographic features of the area. (Originally popular in England)
Township & Range
A survey method that creates a grid pattern by dividing the land into rectangular parcels. (Originally used in the United States)
- Complete the table on the different agricultural hearths below: Fertile Crescent
Wheat, oats, barley
- Complete the table on the different agricultural hearths below: Sub-Saharan Africa
Yams, coffee, sorghum
- Complete the table on the different agricultural hearths below: Central America
Maize, potatoes, squash, peppers
- Complete the table on the different agricultural hearths below East Asia
Rice, soybeans Southeast Asia Mangos, coconuts
- How did the Columbian Exchange impact life in the New World?
New diseases were brought to the New World, decimating many populations. Horses, cows, sugar cane, and other foods and livestock were introduced, which changed life in the New World.
- What is the Neolithic Revolution?
This was the first agricultural revolution. It was a time period in which humans shifted from hunters and gatherers to sedentary agricultural practices
- How did the Columbian Exchange impact life in the Old World?
Crops like the potato became a mainstay of many European diets; this allowed for a population boom because the potato plants produced more food per acre. Other crops, like corn, tomatoes, and squash, also came over to the Old World.
- How did the agricultural revolutions help diffuse different species of animals and plants around the globe?
As society advanced and technology grew, it was possible to trade with other societies more. During the Second Agricultural Revolution, new inventions, such as the steam engine, made it possible to move food/livestock farther and more efficiently. During the Green Revolution, new agricultural techniques were practiced around the world, allowing new strains of crops to be produced, reducing food shortage
What historical event caused the Second Agricultural Revolution?
The Industrial Revolution
- Identify five different inventions that impacted the Second Agricultural Revolution.
1) Iron/Steel Plow 2) Mechanized seed drilling 3) Barbed Wire 4) Grain elevator 5) McCormick reaper/harvester
- Explain what the enclosure movement is and how it impacted food production.
This movement occurred in England when small farms were consolidated into larger farms. Land that was once publicly owned was now privatized, allowing for more output of food and pushing people to urban areas. The result was more food for society, increased urbanization, and a population boom
Category Impact of the Second Agricultural Revolution: Social
Many people left their rural lifestyles and moved to urban areas. Families spent more time working in factories and in the city. This caused overcrowding challenges in cities and concerns for worker rights
Category Impact of the Second Agricultural Revolution: Economic
Fewer farmers were needed to produce food, which allowed for more citizens to be able to work in other industries. This caused the rise of urbanization, which led to new jobs, products, and production moving from the household to the assembly line
Category Impact of the Second Agricultural Revolution: Health
New cities became overcrowded, which led to the diffusion of new diseases due to poor sanitation, cramped living conditions, and lack of healthcare knowledge. Work conditions lacked safety measures to protect workers
- Explain how the Industrial Revolution and Second Agricultural Revolution impacted Thomas Malthus.
Thomas Malthus noticed a significant increase in population growth. This was due to society entering Stage 2 of the demographic transition model, thanks to the Industrial Revolution and Second Agricultural Revolution. This led Malthus to create his theory that the population would continue to grow exponentially, while food production would grow at an arithmetic rate, leading to a Malthusian catastrophe
Genetically modified organism (GMO)
An organism whose genome has been altered to promote specific traits that allow for increased production in livestock production or crop farming
Fertilizer
A chemical or natural substance that, when applied to the soil or land, increases the soil’s fertility
Pesticide
A substance used for destroying insects or other organisms that are harmful to cultivated plants or animals
Herbicide
A substance used for destroying unwanted vegetation
Describe Dr. Norman Borlaug’s role in the Green Revolution.
Borlaug is recognized as the falser of the Green Revolution. He conducted extensive research in Mexico with the objective of cultivating a new strain of wheat that could withstand the region’s challenging growing conditions. He developed a novel semi-dwarf wheat variety that revolutionized agricultural production in Mexico, India, and Pakistan
- Identify four different positive aspects of the Green Revolution.
1) Increased yields for farmers 2) Cheaper food for consumers 3) More food stability in the world 4) Less need for human labor 5) Increased economic productivity
- Identify four different negative aspects of the Green Revolution.
1) Increased number of factory farms 2) Decreased number of family farms 3) Farmers focused on profits over animal rights 4) Technologies and practices often negatively impacted local environments 5) Reduced the local biodiversity
- What is the difference between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture?
Subsistence agriculture is agricultural production that occurs with the intent to provide for the farmer’s family or local community (the output is for consumption, not sale). Commercial agriculture is agricultural production that occurs with the intent to sell the product for profit
Intensive subsistence agriculture
Agricultural practices that require more human labor, capital, and technology but uses less land. (For conmption, not sale) Wet rice farming and terrace farming
Extensive subsistence agriculture
Intensive commercial agriculture Agricultural practices that involve more capital, more machines, and more human labor but require less land. (Goal is to generate revenue) Dairy farming.
agriculture
Extensive commercial agriculture
Agricultural practices that involve less capital, fewer machines, and less human labor but require substantial land and resources. (Goal is to generate revenue) Cattle ranching
Intensive commercial agriculture
Agricultural practices that involve more capital, more machines, and more human labor but require less land. (Goal is to generate revenue) Dairy farming.
agriculture
- Describe one benefit and one consequence of monocropping.
1) Benefit: Increases a farmer’s efficiency, output, and profit 2) Consequence: Risks depletion of natural resources and soil degradation
- Explain how automation and technological advancements have been impacting agricultural practices.
More large-scale farms have started to automate the production of agricultural products instead of relying on human labor. This has led to increased production, industrial farms, and large-scale agribusiness
- What does the bid-rent theory analyze?
The impact that land’s location in relation to the market or urban area plays in determining the rental price of the land
- Describe what happens to the price of land as you get closer to an urban area.
The price of land increases as you get closer to an urban area. This is because of scarcity: less land is available and there is more demand. Conversely, the farther away you are from an urban area, the cheaper the land is, since there is less demand
- What is monocropping?
The practice of cultivating one single crop year after year
- What is monocropping?
The practice of cultivating one signal crop, livestock, or fish species at a time. (Farmers may switch the type of crop/livestock/fish after the harvest)
- What does it mean for a company to achieve economies of scale?
As companies get larger, they have access to more capital, which allows them to scale up production and produce more at a cheaper per-unit rate
- Explain what a commodity chain is.
A process companies use to gather resources and transform them into a good or commodity and then distribute them to consumers for sale. A commodity chain includes the production, distribution, and sale of the product
- How have advancements in technology led to small farms being replaced by commercial agricultural operations?
Industrial farms have become more efficient, more profitable, and have more access to resources that reduce costs. This is due to advancements in transportation, fertilizers, MOs, and antibiotics
- Identify three different ways technology has changed the agricultural sector.
Increased number of large factory farms, increased use of fertilizers/pesticides, greater reliance on genetic modification, and more trading of agricultural products on the global market
- List the different assumptions used in the Von Thunen model.
1) All land is flat 2) Single market 3) All land has equal access to the market 4) Farmers want to maximize their profit 5) All land has similar site characteristics
Draw a Von Thunen Model
- Explain how transportation costs play a role in the Von Thunen model.
Products with high transportation costs are more likely to be located near the market, while easier-to-transport products are located farther away.
- Describe why there is no commercial agricultural production located past the ranching and livestock ring.
The land is too far away from the market, and it would not be possible for farmers to generate a profit due to the high cost of transporting goods.
- Identify four changes to agricultural production that would impact the Von Thunen model.
1) The market is no longer near the forest 2) Dietary preferences have changed 3) New technology has changed production 4) Globalization has shifted production
- Explain why some people believe the Von Thunen model is no longer relevant and why some argue it still works.
Technology has changed the way we produce food and caused a shift: some industries are located closer to/farther away from the market
Furthermore, society no longer trades in an isolated market due to globalization. Countries around the world now trade for food
- What types of agriculture do not fit in the Von Thunen model?
Specialty crops and seasonal crops
- What is a value-added product (crop)?
Products that gain in value as production happens. For example, jams, cereals, and juices are made up of different crops and agricultural products to create a product that is more valuable than the individual ingredients
- What does interdependent mean?
Two things, people, organizations, or countries are dependent on one another
- How has globalization changed how we eat food?
Seasons have disappeared in many markets due to increased technology and trade between states. There is more specialization than ever before in the food space, with countries electing to trade instead of producing all of their food on their own
- Identify two ways international trade deals can impact agriculture in a society.
1) They allow for more unique foods to be traded, which can influence a society’s diet (e.g., NAFTA introducing large quantities of avocados to the United States) 2) They can change the food supply of other countries, altering their food needs and agricultural output
- Why would some states depend more on agricultural imports than others?
Depending on a state’s physiological and agricultural density, it may be more prone to dependence on trade for food. This could be due to a lack of funds to support large-scale agriculture, a lack of arable land, or reduced stability in local markets
- What does it mean to have a commodity dependence?
Provide an example. When more than 60% of a country’s total exports are made up of commodities (e.g., crude petroleum and refined petroleum comprise over 65% of Venezuela’s exports)
- Describe what could happen if a country becomes dependent on one or two commodities.
The market for those commodities could fluctuate, causing the local economy to crash or become unstable. The country will also see economic stagnation in other economic sectors
- Describe two ways quality infrastructure helps support farms and food stability
1) Investments in transportation systems help distribute food and resources for farmers and maintain a stable food supply 2) Investments in communication systems allow farmers and people to exchange ideas, be more efficient on the farm, and distribute food to areas where there is a need
- Ever since the Green Revolution, farmers have continued to do what?
Use more chemical fertilizers and pesticides
- Describe the function of wetlands.
They act as filter systems for water runoff, helping to keep pollutants out of local bodies of water
Draining the wetlands
The process in which water from a wetland is removed to repurpose the land for use as an urban area or to produce agricultural Can lead to more pollutants getting into waterways due to reduced filtration and water runoff. Unique ecosystems are removed, causing a loss of biodiversity.
- Identify two reasons why wetlands are being drained.
1) To build new settlements 2) To repurpose the land for other uses, such as agriculture
Biodiversity
The variety of living things in a particular area. (Includes types of animals, plants, and other living organisms) Decreased biodiversity can reduce an ecosystem’s ability to respond to climate change and diseases
Deforestation
The process of clearing a wide geographic area of trees and other vegetation Leads to higher C02 output, destroys unique ecosystems, and leads to less biodiversity
Soil salinization
The process of salt accumulating in the soil, making it difficult for crops and plants to grow. (Can occur due to excessive irrigation) Can cause arable land to no longer be fertile and lead to the destruction of unique ecosystems
Slash and burn
A farming method that involves the cutting and burning of plants in a forest or woodland area to create a clear field for planting Often leads to deforestation, increased C02 output, and is not sustainable for larger populations
Irrigation
The process of moving water from one geographic location to another geographic area in need of water Can drain local aquifers, cause soil salinization, and may result in pollutants getting into nearby bodies of water
Soil erosion
The wearing-away and displacement of the upper layer of soil due to human activities, water, wind, or other natural forces Loss of agricultural productivity, increased chance of flooding, and increased chance of desertification
Desertification
The process by which arable land loses its fertility and becomes a desert Can lead to a loss of the area’s biodiversity, increased risk of water shortages, and loss of agricultural production
Pastoral nomads
A type of agriculture where herders migrate with their livestock Can lead to desertification and create issues with governments that do not wish to have nomadic people moving through their borders
Terrace farming
A method of agriculture that involves growing crops on the side of hills or mountains by building terraces into the slope If done correctly, can decrease the amount of water runoff, but does transform the natural landscape and can cause soil erosion or mudslides if done incorrectly.
Explain how economic development impacts the way in which a state or region uses its natural resources.
Less economically developed areas are more likely to have an economy focused around industries in the primary sector; such industries often focus on extracting and exporting raw resources to more economically developed countries. On the other hand, more economically developed areas are more likely to protect their natural resources and trade with less economically developed areas instead
- Describe how pastoral nomads can contribute to desertification.
Nomads migrate with their animals, which graze on the land as they move. This removes the vegetation in the area, causing desertification to occur. Arable land becomes part of the desert due to overgrazing
- Identify four criticisms of modern agricultural practices.
1) Uses resources at an unsustainable rate 2) Increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides 3) Animal rights concerns 4) Damage to the local environment
- Describe one benefit and one consequence of farms using chemical fertilizers.
1) Benefit: Results in farmers being able to increase their yield 2) Consequence: Can harm local wildlife and ecosystems and pollute local bodies of water
- Explain why family farms and small-scale operations have difficulty competing in today’s market.
Large agribusinesses have achieved economies of scale and have created an expensive and heavily mechanized food system. This allows the larger companies to produce products at a cheaper rate than a small family farm can, resulting in small-scale operations being put out of business
- Describe one benefit and one consequence of modern aquaculture
1) Benefit: Increases the production of fish without risking overfishing 2) Consequence: Can reduce the biodiversity since most aquaculture focuses on one type of fish
- Explain how inadequate infrastructure impacts food inequalities.
Inadequate infrastructure prevents food from being evenly distributed, resulting in certain regions or places lacking access to fresh food. It can also hinder farmers’ ability to produce food, as they may be unable to get the supplies they need
- What is a food desert?
An area where people lack access to healthy food and rely on convenience stores and fast-food restaurants. Generally, these areas have higher rates of poverty and more health concerns, such as obesity and diabetes
- Describe the impact agricultural subsidies have on food production.
Subsidies are financial incentives or payments from the government to farmers. Governments choose what products to offer subsidies for, motivating farmers to produce those specific products. This can influence food supply, prices, and consumer choice
Community-supported agriculture (CSA)
A system of farming where consumers directly support local farmers by purchasing shares or subscriptions from the farmer before the growing season
Food miles
The distance food travels from production to consumption
Urban farming
Small-scale farms located in urban and/or suburban areas that cultivate different agricultural products
Organic farming
Farming that focuses on producing food with natural methods without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, or GMOs
Fair-trade products
Products that consumers can buy directly from producers and farmers, resulting in the money going directly to the people who created the product or produced the food, rather than to a large corporation.
Value-added crop
An agricultural product that has been processed in a way that increases its overall value (i.e., the final good is worth more than the individual resources)
- What type of countries have a higher percentage of women working in agriculture?
Developing countries that offer fewer opportunities for women
- What is the informal economy?
Economic activities and jobs that are not regulated or protected by the government
- Identify an obstacle in the following categories preventing women from pursuing equality: Cultural
Women not being viewed as equal due to cultural traditions, reducing the opportunities available to women in society
- Identify an obstacle in the following categories preventing women from pursuing equality: Political
Government policies that restrict opportunities for women in society, preventing them from gaining economic independence, receiving education, owning land, and other things women need to become independent and productive members of society
- Identify an obstacle in the following categories preventing women from pursuing equality: Economic
Societies that prevent women from receiving an education lack economic opportunities. This forces women to be dependent on their husbands, focus on agricultural production, or serve as caretakers of the home
- Explain what happens to women’s opportunities as a society advances economically.
Women start to gain more political and social opportunities in society. They can participate more in the formal economy, benefit from legal protections, and enjoy increased land ownership rights
- What is a frontier?
A geographic area over which no state has direct power or control
