Unit 5 - Agriculture and Rural Land Use

Question 1

Agriculture

Answer 1

Definition: The practice of cultivating soil growing crops and raising animals for food and other products. Example: Farmers in the Midwest engage in agriculture by growing corn and wheat.

Question 2

Central America

Answer 2

Definition: A region in the Americas connecting North and South America consisting of countries like Costa Rica Guatemala and Panama. Example: Central America has a tropical climate suitable for agriculture like coffee and bananas.

Question 3

Agribusiness

Answer 3

Definition: Large-scale commercial farming operations that include all steps from production to distribution. Example: Companies like Monsanto are involved in agribusiness through the production of seeds and pesticides.

Question 4

Columbian Exchange

Answer 4

Definition: The exchange of goods diseases and culture between the Old World (Europe) and the New World (Americas) after Columbus’s voyages. Example: The Columbian Exchange brought potatoes and maize to Europe and horses to the Americas.

Question 5

Irrigation

Answer 5

Definition: The artificial application of water to soil to assist in growing crops. Example: Irrigation systems are used in the Middle East to grow crops in arid climates.

Question 6

Climate Conditions

Answer 6

Definition: The long-term weather patterns in a specific area that influence agricultural practices. Example: The climate conditions in the Mediterranean region support the cultivation of olives and grapes.

Question 7

First Agricultural Revolution

Answer 7

Definition: The transition from hunting and gathering to settled farming around 10000 years ago. Example: The domestication of wheat in the Fertile Crescent marked the First Agricultural Revolution.

Question 8

Deforestation

Answer 8

Definition: The clearing or removal of forests to make way for agriculture or urban development. Example: Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is driven by the expansion of agricultural land.

Question 9

Intensive Farming Practices

Answer 9

Definition: Farming that requires high levels of labor and capital to produce large amounts of crops per unit of land. Example: Rice paddies in Asia often use intensive farming practices to maximize yields.

Question 10

Second Agricultural Revolution

Answer 10

Definition: A period of agricultural innovation in the 17th and 18th centuries including crop rotation and the introduction of new tools. Example: The Second Agricultural Revolution led to the increased productivity of farms in Europe.

Question 11

Wetlands

Answer 11

Definition: Areas of land that are saturated with water and often used for rice farming or aquaculture. Example: Southeast Asia’s wetlands are ideal for growing rice.

Question 12

Shifting Cultivation

Answer 12

Definition: A farming method in which land is cleared for crops and then abandoned after a few years to allow the soil to regenerate. Example: Shifting cultivation is practiced by indigenous peoples in parts of Africa and South America.

Question 13

Market Gardening

Answer 13

Definition: Small-scale farming aimed at growing vegetables fruits and flowers for sale in local markets. Example: Market gardening is common in suburban areas where farmers sell directly to consumers.

Question 14

Green Revolution

Answer 14

Definition: A set of technological advancements in agriculture such as high-yield crops and chemical fertilizers beginning in the 1940s. Example: The Green Revolution greatly increased rice and wheat production in developing countries.

Question 15

Pastoral Nomadism

Answer 15

Definition: A traditional way of life where people move with their herds to find grazing areas. Example: The Mongols practiced pastoral nomadism across the steppes of Asia.

Question 16

Plantation Agriculture

Answer 16

Definition: A large-scale farming system focused on growing cash crops like sugar coffee and cotton typically in tropical regions. Example: Plantations in the Caribbean produce sugarcane for export.

Question 17

High-Yield Seeds

Answer 17

Definition: Seeds genetically modified or bred to produce greater quantities of crops per unit of land. Example: High-yield seeds are used to increase rice production in India.

Question 18

Biotechnology

Answer 18

Definition: The use of living organisms and biological processes to develop agricultural products. Example: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a product of biotechnology.

Question 19

Mixed Crop System

Answer 19

Definition: A farming system where multiple crops are grown together on the same land. Example: A mixed crop system might include wheat corn and legumes in the same field.

Question 20

Mechanized Farming

Answer 20

Definition: The use of machinery like tractors and harvesters to perform tasks traditionally done by hand. Example: Mechanized farming has allowed farmers to significantly increase their crop yields.

Question 21

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Answer 21

Definition: Organisms whose genetic material has been altered to achieve desired traits such as pest resistance or faster growth. Example: Bt corn is a GMO designed to resist pests.

Question 22

Mixed Livestock System

Answer 22

Definition: A farming system that combines the raising of animals and the cultivation of crops. Example: In a mixed livestock system farmers may raise cows and grow grain on the same farm.

Question 23

Subsistence Farming

Answer 23

Definition: Farming that is focused on growing enough food to feed the farmer’s family with little surplus for trade. Example: Subsistence farming is common in rural areas of Africa and Asia.

Question 24

Aquaculture

Answer 24

Definition: The farming of fish shellfish or other aquatic organisms for food or other products. Example: Fish farms in Norway produce salmon through aquaculture.

Question 25

Extensive Farming Practices

Answer 25

Definition: Farming that uses large areas of land with minimal labor and capital inputs per unit of land. Example: Wheat farming in Canada is an example of extensive farming practices.

Question 26

Commercial Farming

Answer 26

Definition: Farming that is focused on producing crops or livestock for sale in the market. Example: Commercial farming in the U.S. focuses on crops like corn and soybeans.

Question 27

Biodiversity

Answer 27

Definition: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem. Example: Agricultural biodiversity includes a wide range of plant and animal species used for food production.

Question 28

Family Farm

Answer 28

Definition: A small farm that is owned and operated by a family usually for subsistence or local markets. Example: A family farm might produce vegetables dairy and eggs for sale at local markets.

Question 29

Fertilizer

Answer 29

Definition: Chemical or organic substances used to enhance the growth of plants. Example: Farmers apply synthetic fertilizers to increase soil fertility and crop yields.

Question 30

Nomadic Herding

Answer 30

Definition: A form of pastoralism where people move with their herds to find grazing areas. Example: The Bedouins of the Middle East engage in nomadic herding of camels.

Question 31

Monocropping

Answer 31

Definition: The practice of growing a single crop on a large scale often over many years. Example: Corn monocropping is common in the U.S. Midwest.

Question 32

Synthetic Fertilizer

Answer 32

Definition: Artificially created fertilizers made from chemicals to improve soil fertility. Example: Nitrogen-rich synthetic fertilizers are often used to increase crop yields.

Question 33

Ranching

Answer 33

Definition: The practice of raising livestock especially cattle on large tracts of land. Example: Ranching is common in places like Texas and Argentina where large herds of cattle are raised.

Question 34

Monoculture

Answer 34

Definition: The cultivation of a single crop in a given area. Example: Large-scale wheat farming in the Midwest U.S. is an example of monoculture.

Question 35

Pesticide

Answer 35

Definition: Chemical substances used to kill or control pests that threaten crops. Example: Farmers use pesticides to protect crops from insect damage.

Question 36

Hinterland

Answer 36

Definition: The area surrounding a port or city that provides resources and goods for trade. Example: The hinterland of New York City includes the surrounding agricultural and industrial areas.

Question 37

Global Supply Chain

Answer 37

Definition: The network of suppliers manufacturers and distributors involved in producing and delivering goods to the global market. Example: The global supply chain ensures that coffee beans grown in Brazil are sold worldwide.

Question 38

Fungicide

Answer 38

Definition: A chemical used to kill or control fungi that threaten crops. Example: Fungicides are used to prevent diseases like powdery mildew on crops.

Question 39

Rural

Answer 39

Definition: Areas characterized by low population density often focused on agriculture or natural resource extraction. Example: Rural areas in the U.S. have farms that produce food for urban populations.

Question 40

Commodity Chain

Answer 40

Definition: The series of steps involved in producing processing and distributing a commodity. Example: The coffee commodity chain includes growing processing shipping and selling coffee beans.

Question 41

Herbicide

Answer 41

Definition: A chemical used to kill or control unwanted plants (weeds). Example: Farmers use herbicides to control weed growth in fields of corn or soybeans.

Question 42

Rural Settlement Patterns

Answer 42

Definition: The organization of human settlements in rural areas often based on land use or agriculture. Example: In rural India settlement patterns often revolve around farming villages.

Question 43

Economy of Scale

Answer 43

Definition: The cost advantage that arises when production becomes more efficient as the scale of operation increases. Example: Large agribusinesses benefit from economies of scale by producing crops in vast quantities.

Question 44

Urban Farming

Answer 44

Definition: The practice of growing food in urban environments often on rooftops or vacant lots. Example: Urban farming is becoming more common in cities like New York and Tokyo.

Question 45

Clustered Settlement

Answer 45

Definition: A pattern where homes and buildings are grouped closely together. Example: Clustered settlements are common in rural villages in parts of Europe.

Question 46

Carrying Capacity

Answer 46

Definition: The maximum number of individuals or organisms an area can support without degrading the environment. Example: The carrying capacity of a farm depends on factors like soil quality and water availability.

Question 47

Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Answer 47

Definition: A system where consumers subscribe to receive a share of produce from a local farm. Example: In a CSA customers might receive a box of fresh vegetables every week.

Question 48

Dispersed Settlement

Answer 48

Definition: A pattern where settlements are spread out over a wide area typically due to agriculture. Example: Dispersed settlements are common in rural parts of North America and Australia.

Question 49

Bid-Rent Theory

Answer 49

Definition: A theory that explains how the price and demand for land vary with distance from the central business district. Example: Businesses will pay higher rents near the city center due to the accessibility it offers.

Question 50

Linear Settlement

Answer 50

Definition: A settlement pattern where buildings and homes are arranged along a road river or other linear feature. Example: Linear settlements can be seen along major highways in parts of the world.

Question 51

Von Thünen Model

Answer 51

Definition: A model that explains the location of agricultural activities based on their distance to the market. Example: The Von Thünen model suggests that high-value crops like vegetables are grown closer to markets while livestock is raised farther away.

Question 52

Organic Farming

Answer 52

Definition: A method of farming that avoids synthetic chemicals and fertilizers using natural processes instead. Example: Organic farming practices include crop rotation composting and using natural pesticides.

Question 53

Survey Methods

Answer 53

Definition: The methods used to measure and map land areas often to divide land for agricultural use. Example: The township and range survey system is commonly used in the United States.

Question 54

Milk-Shed

Answer 54

Definition: The region around a dairy farm where milk can be produced and delivered fresh to markets. Example: The milk-shed around a dairy farm typically extends 100-200 miles.

Question 55

Value-Added

Answer 55

Definition: Products that have been processed or improved beyond the raw product adding extra value. Example: Cheese made from milk is a value-added product in dairy farming.

Question 56

Metes and Bounds

Answer 56

Definition: A system of land description using physical landmarks and directions to

Question 57

Pollution

Answer 57

Definition: The introduction of harmful substances or contaminants into the environment. Example: Pesticides used in agriculture can cause water pollution if they run off into rivers.

Question 58

Specialty Crops

Answer 58

Definition: Crops grown for specific markets or uses often with unique characteristics. Example: Specialty crops like lavender or truffles are grown for niche markets.

Question 59

Township and Range

Answer 59

Definition: A system of land surveying used in the United States that divides land into a grid of squares. Example: The township and range system is used to allocate public lands for agriculture.

Question 60

Land Cover

Answer 60

Definition: The physical and natural characteristics of the earth’s surface including vegetation water and urban areas. Example: Forests are a land cover type in many rural regions.

Question 61

Fair Trade

Answer 61

Definition: A movement that ensures farmers in developing countries receive fair wages for their products. Example: Fair trade coffee guarantees that coffee farmers are paid fairly for their beans.

Question 62

Long Lot

Answer 62

Definition: A system of land division that provides each family with a narrow strip of land extending from a waterway. Example: Long lot systems are used in parts of Quebec and Louisiana.

Question 63

Desertification

Answer 63

Definition: The process by which fertile land becomes desert as a result of drought deforestation or inappropriate agriculture. Example: Desertification threatens parts of the Sahel in Africa.

Question 64

Local-Food Movements

Answer 64

Definition: Movements promoting the consumption of food that is locally grown and produced. Example: Farmers’ markets in the U.S. are part of local-food movements.

Question 65

Hearth of Domestication

Answer 65

Definition: The original place where a species of plant or animal was first domesticated. Example: The Fertile Crescent is the hearth of domestication for wheat.

Question 66

Soil Salinization

Answer 66

Definition: The process by which salt accumulates in soil often due to over-irrigation. Example: Soil salinization is a problem in parts of Central Asia where irrigation is heavily used.

Question 67

Dietary Shifts

Answer 67

Definition: Changes in the types of food people consume often due to economic or cultural factors. Example: Dietary shifts in developed countries have led to an increase in plant-based diets.

Question 68

Fertile Crescent

Answer 68

Definition: A crescent-shaped region in the Middle East known as the birthplace of agriculture. Example: The Fertile Crescent includes parts of modern-day Iraq Syria and Turkey.

Question 69

Conservation Efforts

Answer 69

Definition: Actions taken to protect and preserve natural resources. Example: Conservation efforts in the Amazon rainforest aim to protect biodiversity and prevent deforestation.

Question 70

Food Insecurity

Answer 70

Definition: The lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food for an active healthy life. Example: Food insecurity is a major issue in regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Question 71

Indus River Valley

Answer 71

Definition: The region around the Indus River known for its early agricultural practices and ancient civilizations. Example: The Indus River Valley was home to one of the world’s first urbanized societies.

Question 72

Slash and Burn

Answer 72

Definition: A method of agriculture that involves clearing land by cutting and burning vegetation. Example: Slash and burn farming is common in tropical regions like Southeast Asia.

Question 73

Food Deserts

Answer 73

Definition: Areas where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited. Example: Many urban neighborhoods in the U.S. are considered food deserts.

Question 74

Southeast Asia

Answer 74

Definition: A region of Asia that includes countries like Thailand Vietnam and Indonesia known for diverse agriculture. Example: Southeast Asia is a major producer of rice rubber and palm oil.

Question 75

Terracing

Answer 75

Definition: A farming technique where sloped land is converted into a series of steps or terraces to prevent erosion and grow crops. Example: Terracing is common in mountainous regions like the Andes in South America.