vocab october 31st Flashcards
agriculture biodiversity
the variety and variability of plants, animals,and microorganisms that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture
agriculture landscape
a landscape resulting from the interactions between farming activities and a locations natural environment
agreocosystem
an ecosystem modified for agricultural use
aquifer
layers of sand, gravel, and rocks that contain and can release a usable amount of water
biodiversity
the variety of organisms living in a location
biotechnology
the science of altering living organisms often through genetic manipulation to create new products for specific purposes such as crops that resist certain pests
food security
the reliable acess to safe and nutrias foods because stores selling these foods are too far away
precision agriculture
a farming management concept that uses technology to apply inputs with pinpoint accuracy to specific parts of fields to maximize crops yields, reduce waist and preserve the environment
reservoir
an artificial lake used to store water
salinzation
the process by which water soluble salts build up in the soil which limits the ability of crops to absorb water
climate region
an area that has similar climate patterns generally based on its latitude and its location on a coast or continental interior
terracing
the process of carving parts of a hill or mountain into small, level growing plots
debt-for nature-swap
agreement between a bank and a peripheral country in which the bank forgives a portion of the country’s debt in exchange for local investment in conversations measure.
deforestation
loss of forest lands
desertification
a form of land degradation that occurs when soil deteriorates to a desert like condition
economy of scale
cost reductions that occur when production rises
food dessert
area where residents lack access to healthy, nutritious foods because stores selling these foods are too far away
food insecurity
the disruption of food intake or eating patterns because of poor access to food
agribusiness
the large scale system that includes the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products and equipment.
commodity chain
a network of people information, processes,and resources, that work together to produce handle and distribute a commodity or product.
dual agriculture economy
an economy having 2 agricultural sectors that have different levels of technology and different patterns of demand.
fair trade
a movement that tries to provide farmers and workers in a peripheral and semi- peripheral countries with a fair price for their products by providing more equitable trading conditions.
farm subsidy
form of aid and insurance given by the federal government to certain farmers and agribusiness.