Challenges of Contemporary Agriculture (College Board AP® Human Geography): Flashcards
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Define biotechnology in agriculture.
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Define biotechnology in agriculture.
Biotechnology in agriculture is the use of scientific methods, including genetically engineered crops, to modify and improve plant and livestock production.
Give three examples of agricultural biotechnology.
Examples of agricultural biotechnology include pesticide-resistant crops, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and biofuels.
What are two benefits of agricultural biotechnology?
Biotechnology can increase crop yields and produce plants that are resistant to drought and certain pests.
True or False?
Biofuels are an example of agricultural biotechnology.
True.
Biofuels are one example of agricultural biotechnology, alongside pesticide-resistant crops and genetically modified organisms.
Define genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Genetically modified organisms are plants or animals whose DNA has been altered for specific traits, such as pest or disease resistance or high-yield crops.
Why can GMOs be beneficial?
GMOs can be beneficial because they increase production levels and raise levels of food security.
Why are GMOs criticized for harming biodiversity?
GMOs are criticized for the loss of biodiversity that results from reliance on a single genetic strand of crops.
True or False?
Every country allows the use of GMOs without restriction.
False.
Due to concerns about GMOs, some countries have a total ban on their use, while others have strict restrictions.
Genetically modified organisms are plants or animals whose has been altered for specific traits.
Genetically modified organisms are plants or animals whose DNA has been altered for specific traits.
Define aquaculture.
Aquaculture is the raising of fish and shellfish in ponds and controlled saltwater hatcheries for consumption.
Why has aquaculture increased?
Aquaculture has increased as fish populations in the wild have decreased due to overfishing.
What is a key benefit of aquaculture?
Aquaculture reduces the pressure on wild fish populations while still providing a protein-rich food source.
Why are aquaculture operations criticized?
Aquaculture is criticized because pollution from fish farms spreads to the local water supply, and diseases can spread from captive to wild fish populations.
What consumer concerns drive many food movements?
Food movements are driven by consumer preferences reflecting concerns about sustainability and the environmental impact of agricultural practices.
What food substitutes reflect the push for healthier, more sustainable options?
The push for more vegetarian options and the development of high-protein cereal grains as meat substitutes reflects the desire for healthier, more sustainable food.
Define urban farming.
Urban farming is the growth of food in urban areas, including rooftop and community gardens.
What are two positive developments associated with urban farming?
Urban farming increases the availability of healthy produce and helps bring about a reduction in food deserts.
Define community-supported agriculture (CSA).
Community-supported agriculture is a practice in which consumers purchase shares in local farms, from which they then receive regular deliveries of fresh produce.
In community-supported agriculture, consumers purchase in local farms and receive regular deliveries of fresh produce.
In community-supported agriculture, consumers purchase shares in local farms and receive regular deliveries of fresh produce.
What is one benefit of community-supported agriculture?
Community-supported agriculture provides economic support for small, local farmers, along with a decrease in food deserts and greater availability of healthy foods.
Define organic farming.
Organic farming is an agricultural practice that grows crops without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms.
True or False?
Organic farming relies on genetically modified organisms to grow crops.
False.
Organic farming grows crops without chemical pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms.
What is a drawback of organic farming?
To produce the same amount of crops as standard methods, organic farming requires more time, labor, and money.
Define fair trade.
The fair trade designation indicates the promotion of sustainable practices, fair labor standards, and fair prices for farmers in developing countries.
What does consumer desire for fair trade products lead to?
Consumer desire for fair trade products leads to increases in sustainable farming, higher wages, and better working conditions.
Which practice is described as the best example of sustainable agriculture?
Organic farming is described as the best example of sustainable agricultural practices that produce crops while preserving and enhancing the environment.
Define food insecurity.
Food insecurity is the lack of reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food.
Define food desert.
A food desert is a location where large grocery stores are scarce or missing, and residents have limited access to fresh, nutritious foods.
True or False?
Food insecurity and a food desert mean the same thing.
False.
Food insecurity is the lack of reliable access to affordable, nutritious food, while a food desert is a place where grocery stores are scarce and access to fresh food is limited.
What can cause food insecurity?
Food insecurity may result from poverty, war or conflict, and economic inequality.
Food insecurity may be the result of poverty, war or conflict, and economic .
Food insecurity may be the result of poverty, war or conflict, and economic inequality.
Where are food deserts typically found?
Food deserts are typically found in urban, low-income neighborhoods.
What do residents of food deserts generally have access to instead of fresh food?
Residents of food deserts generally only have access to fast food or convenience stores.
How can poor infrastructure worsen food distribution in LDCs?
Poor infrastructure can lead to food spoilage and waste during transport and storage, increasing food shortages.
How can political or environmental instability affect food supplies?
Political, economic, or environmental instability can disrupt supply chains and cause increases in food insecurity.
How do extreme weather events affect food production?
Extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and severe storms, disrupt agricultural production and may decrease food supplies.
How can longer-term climate change affect agriculture?
Longer-term climate change can permanently shift growing seasons and agricultural production areas.
Define land loss.
Land loss is the decrease in arable land available for agricultural production caused by urban sprawl and the growth of suburbs.
What are the consequences when areas experiencing land loss must import food?
Importing food leads to higher food costs, increased carbon emissions from transportation, and reduced food security.
How does proximity to markets affect food-production facilities?
Facilities near urban centers reduce transportation costs and ensure freshness.
What kinds of crops tend to be produced near urban centers?
Areas near urban centers tend to produce more perishable crops that must reach market quickly, such as fruits, flowers, and dairy.
What are two examples of agricultural practices located close to markets?
Truck farming and market gardening are examples of agricultural production practices located close to markets.
Locating perishable production near markets coincides with which model?
Locating perishable production near markets coincides with von Thünen's model of agricultural production.
Define economies of scale.
Economies of scale refers to the cost savings associated with producing goods in bulk, so the cost per unit falls as more is produced.
Why can large commercial agribusinesses produce more cheaply than small farms?
Large commercial agribusinesses can produce more cheaply because of economies of scale, since many inputs such as labor and transportation have a fixed cost.
The more of a product that is produced, the lower the cost per of that product.
The more of a product that is produced, the lower the cost per unit of that product.
True or False?
With economies of scale, the cost per unit rises as more of a product is produced.
False.
With economies of scale, the cost per unit falls as more of a product is produced.
What do global supply chains allow?
Global supply chains allow food to be transported quickly and efficiently across the world, increasing access to more varied food options.
What is a risk of relying on long supply chains?
Reliance on long supply chains may disrupt shipping and consumption due to delays caused by weather, conflict, or pandemics.
Why do governments provide subsidies to farmers?
Governments use subsidies to provide financial support that helps reduce costs for farmers and stabilize prices for consumers.
How can agricultural subsidies backfire?
Subsidies may backfire if they result in overreliance on one or a few crops, leading to monoculture and overproduction.
How do trade agreements and tariffs affect agricultural goods?
Trade agreements and tariffs affect the movement, sale and consumption, and price of agricultural products.
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