Unit 5 - Agricultural & Rural Land-use Patterns & Processes Flashcards
agribusiness
the set of economic and political relationships that organize food production for commercial purposes. It included activities ranging from seed production, to retailing, to consumption of agricultural products
animal husbandry
the art & science of producing food from the land & tending livestock for the purpose of human consumption
biotechnology
a form of technology that uses living organisms, usually genes, to modify products, to make or modify plants & animals, or to develop other microorganisms for specific purposes
capital-intensive agriculture
form of agriculture that uses mechanical goods, such as machinery, tools, vehicles, and facilities, to produce large amounts of agri goods–a process requiring very little human labor
commercial agricultural economy
all agricultural activity generated for the purpose of selling, not necessarily for local consumption
commodity chains
a linked system of processes that gather resources, convert them into goods, package them for distribution, disperse them, and sell them on the market
dairying
an agricultural activity involving the raising of livestock, most commonly cows and goats, for dairy products such as milk, cheese, and butter.
desertification
the process by which formerly fertile lands become more and more arid, unproductive, and desert-like
domestication
the conscious manipulation of plant & animal system species by humans in order to sustain themselves
extensive agriculture
an agricultural system characterized by low inputs of labor per unit land area [low yield, but large amount of land required] ex: ranching, nomadic herding, and shifting cultivation
feedlots
places where livestock are concentrated in a very small area and raised on hormones and hearty grains that prepare them for slaughter at a much more rapid rate than grazing; often referred to as factory farms
fertile crescent
an area located in the crescent-shaped zone near the osutheastern Mediterranean coast (including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey), **one of the first hearths of domestication and thus agricultural activity,
food security
people’s ability to access sufficient safe & nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life
genetically modified foods
foods that are mostly products of organisms that have had their genes altered in a laboratory for specific purposes, such as disease resistance, increase productivity, or nutritional value, allowing growers greater control, predictability, and efficiency
green revolution
the development of higher-yield & fast-growing crops thru increased technology, pesticides, and fertilizers transferred from the developed to developing world to alleviate the problem of food supply in those regions of the globe
horizontal integration
a form of corporate organization in which several branches of a company or several commonly owned companies work together to sell their products in different markets
industrial revolution
the rapid economic changes that occurred in agriculture and manufacturing in England in the late 18th century and that rapidly spread to other parts of the developed world
intensive cultivation
any kind of agricultural activity that involves effective and efficient use of labor on small plots of land to maximize crop yield
labor-intensive agriculture
type of agri which needs a lot of labor
mechanization
the replacement of human labor with machines
Mediterranean agriculture
an agricultural system practiced in the Mediterranean-style climates of Western Europe, California, and portions of Chile & Australia, in which diverse specialty crops such as grapes, avocados, olives, and a host of nuts, fruits, and vegetables make up profitable agricultural operations
organic agriculture
the use of crop rotation, natural fertilizers, and no chemicals to promote healthy, vigorous crops
pastoralism
livestock raising
planned agricultural economy
an agricultural economy found in communist nations in which the gov controls both agri production & distribution
salinization
a process that occurs when soils in arid areas are brought under cultivation thru irrigation. In arid climates, water evaporates quickly off the ground surface, leaving salty residues that render the soil infertile
shifting cultivation
the use of tropical forest clearings for crop production until their fertility is lost. Plots are then abandoned, and farmers move on to new sites
slash-and-burn-agriculture
system of cultivation that usually exists in tropical areas, where vegetation is cut close to the grounds, and then ignited. The fire introduces nutrients into the soil, thereby making it productive for a relatively short period of time
specialty crops
crops, usually including peanuts, pineapples, that are produced, usually in developing countries, for export
swidden
land that is prepared for agriculture by using the slash-and-burn method
transhumance
the movements of livestock according to seasonal patterns, generally low-land areas in the winter, and highland areas in the summer
urban sprawl
the process of urban areas expanding outward, usually in the form of suburbs, and developing over fertile agricultural land
vertical integration
a form of corporate organization in which one firm controls multiple aspects or phases of a commodity chain
Von Thunen Model
An agricultural model that spatially describes agricultural activity in terms of rent. Activities that require intensive cultivation and cannot be transported over great distances pay higher rent to be close to the market. Conversely, activities that are more extensive, with goods that are easy to transport, are located farther from the market where rent is less.
first agricultural revolution
Neolithic revolution
what was the Neolithic Revolution
the first agricultural revolution, the wide-scale transition of many human cultures during the Neolithic (New stone age) period from a lifestyle of hunting and gathering to one of agriculture & settlement
Vegetative Propagation
aka root propagation, means growing a new plant from a piece of the old plant, theorized to be the first method of ppl purposefully growing food to consume
seed cultivation
marked the beginning of the First Agricultural Revolution when societies became settled & civilization formed
irrigation
led to the formation of farming societies; by allowing farmers to grow crops on a consistent schedule, it created more reliable food supplies, INDEPENDENT INNOVATION
early hearths of agriculture
fertile crescent (Anatolia/Mesopotamia), Indus River Valley, Southeast Asia, Central America (Mesoamerica)
what was southeast Asia a major hearth for
vegetative planting; Plants domesticated in Southeast Asia include Bananas, citrus fruits, coconuts, sugarcane, rice, tea, and yams (among others). This region is tropical, so from here they diffused to other tropical climates (such as Central America and the African rainforests). The Chicken was also domesticated in this region
what did Central Africa give us
coffee, cotton, **millet, **sorghum, and okra
what did Mesoamerica give us
maize [corn], potatoes, squash, beans
Columbian exchange
the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas, West Africa, and the Old World in the 15th & 16th centuries
What did the Columbian Exchange do in regards to biodiversity?
It actually reduced the biodiversity of the world by making places more similar as far as the plants and animals available in different places
influence of the industrial revolution
population growth, displaced commoners, increased urban population, shift from primary to secondary economic activity [spurred the industrial revolution]
cultivate
to grow
domesticate
raise for human use
tropical climate zone
South America, central Africa, and Southeast Asia
desert climate zone
located on the sides of the tropical zones
polar/tundra zone
not suitable for cultivation
temperate zone
northern US, Canada, Europe, Asia
Mediterranean crops
citrus fruits, olives, figs, cereal grains, eggplant, chili peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, zucchini, cucumber, and all peas (ORCHARD FARMING, VINEYARDS, CEREAL & VEGGIES)
cash crops typically grown in the tropics
bananas, pineapple, coconut, cocoa, coffee, sugarcane
plantation agriculture
intensive form of commercial farming where crops are grown for profit.
mixed crop/livestock systems
form of intensive agri
intercropping
a multiple cropping practice involving growing two or more crops in close proximity; the most common goal is to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land
intertillage
the practice of planting crops along the same row or mound
pastoral nomadism or nomadic herding
the practice of caring for roaming groups of livestock over a large area
metes & bounds system
uses landmarks including rivers, roads, stakes, or
other such natural or manmade markers. Metes and bounds descriptions are typically used whenever land survey areas are irregularly sized and/or shaped so that the boundaries of the property can be more clearly defined. As a result, properties or political boundaries surveyed using this system (typically after it was settled) have irregular shapes and tend to be smaller **SHORT DISTANCES & LANDMARKS
township & range
a system of surveying the sparse population (or uninhabited) land and mapping it in a nice, neat, and orderly rectangular system, then dividing each of the rectangles into smaller plots and granting/selling them to people who wanted to move out into the frontier and start a farm. It was a way for the US to spread the population out over the Great Plains** SURVEY METHODS VS LANDMARKS & GRID SYSTEM
long lots
creates linear settlement patterns, Each property (lot) is long and narrow and has access to the river, canal, or road. This system gave farmers access to the transportation route while keeping the size of the parcels relatively equal **RIVER
large scale agricultural operations
shift from small family farms to large commercial farms = AGRIBUSINESS
agrarian capitalism
a mode of production in which the forms of production vary according to the internal distribution of property rights (how land is divided and owned) and market involvement
corporate farming
corporate marketing is not just about agriculture itself, but also all the other components that are found under the broad umbrella of agricultural production, marketing, and distribution
commodity
raw material or agricultural product that can be bought & sold
commodity chain
a process used by firms to gather resources, transform them into goods or commodities, and finally distribute them to consumers.
vertical integration
a single company owns and operates differently steps forward and backward in the commodity chain (i.e., a single company owns the plantation, their own transportation company, their own roasters, their own
marketers, and also does the retail
positive consequences of technological change
increased yield, improved carrying capacity, economies of scale [big saving in production costs]
negative consequences of commercial agri
soil degradation, salinization, runoff pollution, unintended consequences
where is coffee grown
South America, south africa-ish, southern India, south east Asia
where is maize [corn] grown
midwest of the US, eastern China
where is millet grown
Sahel region of Africa, western India, lesser amounts in China & Eastern Europe
where is rice grown
east Asia, eastern India & Bangladesh, Southeast Asia
where is wheat grown
Central plains of North America, ALL of Europe, Northern India, Pakistan, Northeast China
enclosure movement
a system of private ownership of land in European kingdoms that began in the 14th century
crop rotation
the practice of growing a series of dissimilar or different types of crops in the same area in sequenced season
impacts of the 2nd agricultural revolution
better diets, longer life expectancy, rapid pop growth, and a major shift in European societies [rapid urbanization, commercial agri]
assumptions of the von Thunen model (4)
farmers are working for maximum profit, one city = one urban center, land is relatively flat & equal distance from the market, and transportation costs are fixed
key components to the von Thunen model (3)
transportation costs, cost of land, distance from market
1st ring of von Thunen’s model
market
2nd ring of von Thunen’s model
fresh produce/dairy
3rd ring of von Thunen’s model
forest/lumber
4th ring of von Thunen’s model
mixed crop/farming
exceptions to the von Thunen model (4)
farmers don’t always make decisions based on profits, speciality farming, luxury products, impact of refrigeration & transportation tech
What would be the US’s market
New York City (largest city of US)
what explains the diffusion & successful cultivation of many plants & animals in new regions of the world thru the Columbian Exchange?
The plants and animals diffused to regions with climate and geography similar to that of their point of domestication
what explains the similar impact of large-scale commercial agriculture in developed countries, and plantation agriculture in less developed countries
both farming practices involve the consolidation of family farms and displacement of rural communities
3rd Agricultural Revolution
AKA GREEN REVOLUTION, resulted in an increase in agricultural production worldwide, with high yield seeds, hybrid seeds, chemical fertilizer & pesticide, advanced mechanized farming
pros of the green revolution
increased agricultural yield (brought lower food prices), improved food security, ability to grow crops anywhere, eliminates the need for fallow land, profitable, large-scale, automated agriculture, lower deat rates, countries like Mexico & India became exporters of food instead of importers
cons of the green revolution
agricultural & water pollution, soil degradation, the evolution of “super pests”, increased exposure to chemicals, an increase of monocropping, high cost & terminal seeds, loss of family farms, not all countries had access to the tech
pros of intensive agriculture
extremely high yields from small amounts of land, easier for farmers to supervise the land, lower food prices make healthier dense foods available to more people
cons of intensive agriculture
large # of pesticides, increased pollution, overcrowding of livestock, soil degradation
pros of extensive agriculture
less labor needed, low inputs, little to no alterations to the land needed
cons of extensive agriculture
lower yield with high land, cannot be used in densely populated areas, land requirements limit habitats of other species
value-added specialty crops
adding value to the agricultural products through processing, marketing, organic farming
export-oriented agriculture
agriculture grown for export
monoculture
the cultivation of a single crop in a given area
problem with monoculture
countries are overly dependent on the sale of the single crop and are more vulnerable to crop diseases and market crashes
benefits of a global supply chain
lower costs, greater variety, broader perspective on business, higher volume, international customers [more markets]
export commodity
a raw material that is produced and sold mainly for export to another country
export processing zones
areas within developing countries that offer incentives and a barrier-free environment to promote economic growth by attracting foreign investment for export-oriented production
embargo
a gov order that completely restricts commerce with a specified country or the exchange of specific goods
Free Trade Deals
agreements between countries that remove any import duties (tariffs) on products traded between the two countries – this gives the country with the ability to produce the product for the lowest cost the advantage in the market between the two countries
challenges to feeding a growing population
food security, hunger crisis, malnutrition, famine, food deserts
food desert
an area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food
urban sprawl
the uncontrolled expansion of an urban area into the surrounding rural areas. The land upon which these new developments are built are lost to farming.
environmental effects of agri use
pollution, land change, desertification, soil salinization, conservation efforts
desertification is caused by what
drought, deforestation, OVERGRAZING, urbanization, climate change, natural disasters
slash & burn pros
eliminates weeds, insects, and any germs. also allows for farming in areas with dense vegetation, low soil nutrients content, uncontrollable pests
slash & burn cons
In shifting cultivation, trees in the forests are cut. This increases soil infertility and leads to soil erosion. Burning the trees also contributes significantly to air pollution; additionally, since the trees have been removed, they are no longer able to act as filters of other air pollutants, which intensifies the issue.
terracing pros
expands available farmland, easy to flood for wet rice production
terracing cons
Unmaintained terraces can lead to mudslides, the creation of deep galleys, and increased soil erosion, particularly in sandy soils or on extremely steep
terrains. Terracing also has been shown to reduce soil quality via the leaching of important nutrients from the soil in some areas (the water washes the nutrients out of the soil)
benefits of biotech in agriculture
improved yield; reduced vulnerability of crops to
environmental stresses; improved taste, texture, or appearance of the food; reduced
dependence on fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals; and the production of vaccines
negatives of biotech in agriculture
genetically modified crops might not have long-term viability. GMOs or microorganisms could also spread their genetic info into the ecosystem, causing harm such as reduced biodiversity. There are concerns that genetically modified crops may transfer genetic material into natural, unmodified plants. For instance, a crop that is herbicide-resistant may transfer some of its traits to a weed, which would result in an herbicide-resistant weed.
eat local movement
aims to connect food producers & consumers in the same geo region in order to improve local economies
pros of the eat local movement
contributes to a diverse local economy, strengthens the community tries and building regional pride, better-tasting & nutritious foods, food isn’t shipped long distances which reduces fossil fuels, thereby reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
cons of the eat local movement
fewer food choices & variety is food actually healthier and organic, concerns over food safety, may not be suitable for all environments, in urban areas, farmland is not as available
cold mid latitude type
location: North Central USA, Southern Canada, Eastern Europe
agri products: wheat, barley, livestock, dairy cows
warm mid-latitude type
location: Southern China, Southern USA
agri products: veggies, fruits, rice
mediterranean climate type
location: California, Chile, Mediterranean Sea area
agri products: grapes, olives, dates
grasslands climate type
location: Northern Africa, Western USA, Mongolia
agri products:cattle ranching, sheep, goats, horses, camels
sub-tropical climate type
location: Indonesia, West Indies
agri products: rice, cotton, tobacco
tropical climate type
location: Equatorial Africa, Indonesia
agri products: coffee, sugar, tea, cacao, pineapple
what crops were cultivated in the fertile crescent
wheat, rye, barley, oats, olives
where did the crops cultivated in the fertile crescent diffuse
Northern & Eastern Africa, Europe, Middle East
what crops were cultivated in Southeast Asia
taro, mango, coconut
what crops were cultivated in east asia
rice, soybeans
what crops were cultivated in Central America
maize, potato, squash, peppers
what crops were cultivated in sub-saharan Africa
yams, sorghum, coffee
where did the crops cultivated in southeast asia diffuse
east indies, india
where did the crops cultivated in east asia diffuse
korea, japan
where did the crops cultivated in central america diffuse
north & south america
where did the crops cultivated in sub-saharan africa diffuse
southern africa
how did agriculture diffuse?
increasing patterns of globalization:
- trade routes across the eastern hemisphere diffused plants & animals (Silk Road brought plants & animals to Central Asia, Middle East, Europe & Indian Ocean Trade brought plants & animals to South Aisa, Middle East, Africa & Europe)
- Columbian exchange (after the spanish conquered mesoamerica & south america, they diffused plants & animals to and from the area, & maize, squash, potatoes and other crops were taken to Europe then planted & coffee, sugar, horses, cattle, and other animals were brought to the Americas)
how did the second agricultural revolution advance agriculture?
increased food production, changed the demand for manual labor, increased life expectancy, increase the gap between core & periphery countries
intensive subsistence characteristics
local, high labor, minimal $$, small amt of land
intensive commerical characteristics
for profit, high labor, high $$, medium amt of land
extensive subsistence characteristics
local, minimal labor, minimal $$, large amt of land
extensive commericial characteristics
for profit, minimal labor, high $$, large amt of land
agribusiness use what to increase revenue
use economies of scale & commodity chains
what have agribusiness practices increased
carrying capacities of land
5th ring of von Thunen’s model
livestock
discuss two factors that explain why agricultural land-use patterns today differ than those developed by von Thunen model in 1826
Advancements in technology, refrigeration allows us to transport goods further, thus cutting down on land cost if we can be farther from the market. We also no longer have forests near the city. As urbanization has expanded, we have been able to take & reclaim that land for houses, businesses, or communities. Transportation methods have also changed over time. We can now move faster & more efficiently.
which environmental problem is most associated with the Africa Sahel
desertification
terraced farming
vietnam, thailand
in which of the following countries is terracing LEAST likely to be used by farming groups to create additional space & minimize erosion on steep slopes?
Niger
major causes of food insecurity
food deserts, problems with food distribution systems, adverse weather, land lost to suburbanization
what info can geographers use to map food deserts
stores, where people live, demographic info such as income, or transportation info
identify & explain two reasons that food deserts exist in urban areas within developed countries
poverty, and how grocery stores have less incentive to open in poor countires, or the zoning problems that occur inside of inner cities which might not always allow for the construction of new grocery stores
identify and explain one impact of living in a Food Deserts
poor health and the lack of a healthy diet
which of the following best explains the spatial patterns illustrated in the von Thunen’s model?
Labor-intensive farming of vegetables is done in small-scale plots in market gardens, while extensive grain crops are grown in large-scale fields far from the market town.
which of the following best explains the significance of similarities between the farming practices for apple orchards and grape vineyards?
both farming practices require considerable labor input as the fruit is handpicked which makes it a product of intensive agriculture
which of the following explains the prevalence of banana plantations in Central Ameria?
banana plants were brought to Central America from sub-Saharan Africa to be grown closer to markets in the US & Canada
Which of the following best describes advances in the production of textiles during the Second Agricultural Revolution and the Industrial Revolution?
The conversion from manual thread spinning to an industrial processing approach led to increased demand for raw cotton in the agricultural sector.
Which of the following best compares a technological consequence of the Green Revolution in more developed and less developed countries?
Farmers in less developed countries were able to increase their profits from growing and exporting high-yield grain to levels similar to those in more developed countries.
Since the mid-twentieth century, wheat production has risen dramatically in some regions of the world but not others, which may increase the uneven development among countries. Which statement best explains the increase in wheat production in Europe and the United States compared to sub-Saharan Africa?
Farmers in Europe & the US use high-yield seeds and other technology but farmers in sub-Saharan Africa depend on low levels of mechanization and non-genetically modified seeds
Commercial agriculture in dry climates relies heavily on irrigation. Which of the following best explains an environmental concern that results from irrigation in arid regions?
The soil will have increased salinity, leading to soil erosion and reduced nutrients in the soil for plant health.
economies of scale
The savings in cost per unit due to increasing the level of production (think Fordism). Agribusiness produces cheaper crops and finished goods than traditional farming, in part, because they produce at a large scale.
monocultural agricultural systems tend to be most prevalent in
in highly developed countries with a labor-force concentration in the tertiary and quaternary sectors
