Consequences of Agricultural Practices (College Board AP® Human Geography): Flashcards
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Define desertification.
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Define desertification.
Desertification is the process by which arable land becomes increasingly arid and desert-like, making it unproductive for agriculture.
Define soil salinization.
Soil salinization is the accumulation of salts in the soil from improper irrigation methods, which reduces soil fertility and makes it unsuitable for plant growth.
Define organic farming.
Organic farming minimizes the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, which reduces pollution and biodiversity loss and maintains soil health.
True or False?
Soil salinization and desertification are the same process.
False.
Soil salinization is the accumulation of salts in the soil from improper irrigation, while desertification is the process by which arable land becomes increasingly arid and desert-like.
Name three human actions that can cause desertification.
Desertification can be caused by overgrazing, lack of crop rotation, poor irrigation practices, and cutting down trees.
Which three regions are at high risk of desertification?
The regions at high risk of desertification are the Sahel, the Middle East, and the Western United States.
How does livestock farming contribute to climate change?
Livestock farming produces methane emissions, which cause significant greenhouse gas buildup that contributes to climate change.
What effect does monocropping have on soil in more developed countries?
Monocropping can cause soil exhaustion, loss of nutrients in the soil, and the accumulation of chemicals.
Which two soil practices help prevent soil exhaustion?
Soil quality can be conserved through crop rotation and planting cover crops so the soil does not become exhausted.
How does agricultural chemical use decrease water quality?
Chemicals used for pesticides and fertilizers can seep into the water supply, damaging water quality and affecting wildlife.
How can wet rice farming affect wetlands in less developed countries?
Wet rice farming can lead to an increase in the amount of wetlands, which can benefit birds and other wildlife.
True or False?
Monocropping increases the genetic diversity of crops.
False.
Monocropping decreases crop variety and reduces the genetic diversity of crops, making them more vulnerable to pests and disease.
Overuse of water to irrigate crops can result in the depletion of ground , streams, and other waterways.
Overuse of water to irrigate crops can result in the depletion of ground aquifers, streams, and other waterways.
Define slash-and-burn agriculture.
In slash-and-burn agriculture, vegetation is cut down and then burned to clear land for agricultural production.
What short-term effect does slash-and-burn have on soil?
Slash-and-burn causes a temporary increase in soil fertility due to the burned organic matter.
True or False?
Slash-and-burn agriculture permanently increases soil fertility.
False.
Slash-and-burn causes only a temporary increase in soil fertility, and over time it leads to negative effects such as soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.
Define irrigation.
Irrigation is the controlled application of water to agricultural land to aid in plant growth.
What negative effect can overuse of irrigation cause?
Overuse of irrigation can cause soil salinization, as well as depletion of water from natural sources and harm to ecosystems.
Define terraced farming.
In terraced farming, terraces are built into mountainous areas so crops can be grown on man-made steps on the sides of hills or mountains.
What are two benefits of terraced farming?
Terraced farming increases the agricultural output of the land and decreases soil erosion.
Terraced farming increases agricultural output and decreases soil .
Terraced farming increases agricultural output and decreases soil erosion.
Define deforestation.
Deforestation is the cutting down of forest areas for agricultural production or livestock grazing.
What environmental problem can overgrazing from pastoral nomadism cause?
Overgrazing from pastoral nomadism can lead to desertification.
What do farmers do in shifting cultivation?
In shifting cultivation, farmers grow crops on one plot of land, then move to new fields when soil fertility declines and leave the old fields fallow to recover nutrients.
True or False?
Shifting cultivation is often associated with slash-and-burn agriculture.
True.
Shifting cultivation is often associated with slash-and-burn agriculture, as land is cleared by burning before crops are grown.
How does draining wetlands benefit agriculture?
Draining wetlands increases the amount of arable land and, potentially, the carrying capacity of an area.
How have global increases in agricultural production affected diets?
Increased food supply and availability of staple crops have resulted in higher-calorie diets, which can support larger populations and increase carrying capacity.
How has large-scale commercial agriculture changed diets in less developed countries?
The growth of large-scale commercial agriculture has led to an increase in the availability of meat and dairy in less developed countries.
What foods do individuals in less developed countries consume more of as economic development increases?
With more money to spend, individuals consume more high-value foods, including increased amounts of protein.
How has globalization affected food production and consumption?
Globalization has led to the increased spread of crops, improved farming techniques, and an increased amount of processed foods.
True or False?
Reliance on staple crops increases the variety of food available to a population.
False.
Reliance on staple crops can limit the variety of food available, and populations can become dependent on processed foods.
Increased agricultural production has raised the availability of staple crops, such as wheat, , and barley.
Increased agricultural production has raised the availability of staple crops, such as wheat, rice, and barley.
What food shift has occurred in less developed countries alongside globalization?
Less developed countries have seen a shift away from locally produced food toward globally traded products.
Which type of agriculture are women more likely to take part in?
Women are more likely to take part in subsistence agricultural practices, while men are more likely to be employed in commercial agricultural practices.
Are women more likely to be engaged in agricultural production in LDCs or MDCs?
Women are more likely to be engaged in agricultural production in LDCs than in MDCs.
What barriers do women in many LDCs face in agriculture?
Women often struggle to access land ownership and profit, and have difficulty obtaining financial resources, training, or agricultural technology.
How do women help ensure food security for their families?
Women help ensure food security by growing and preparing food for their families' consumption.
True or False?
Men are more likely than women to be employed in commercial agricultural practices.
True.
Men are more likely to be employed in commercial agricultural practices, while women are more likely to take part in subsistence agriculture.
What effect does increased participation by women in agriculture have?
Increased participation by women in agriculture has been shown to improve production levels and food security.
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