Unit 5: Agriculture and Rural Land-Use Patterns and Processes (copy)

Primary economy

Economic activities that involve the primary extraction of natural resources such as timber, fisheries, and minerals.

Intensive agriculture

A type of farming that requires a high amount of labor input and/or is focused on a small plot of land.

Extensive agriculture

A farming system that requires limited labor input and/or is spread over large areas of land.

Transhumance

Seasonal movement of groups to avoid harsh climates and follow animal herds.

Pastoralism

Agriculture based on the seasonal movement of animals from winter to summer pastures.

Subsistence agriculture

A type of intensive mixed farming that provides for all food and material needs of a household.

Physiologic density

The number of people per unit of arable land.

Cash cropping

A form of extensive agriculture where harvested crops are sold for currency.

Human ecology

The study of human interactions with nature.

Crop rotation

The practice of changing the type of crop grown on a particular plot of land from season to season.

No-tillage

A farming method that involves not plowing the soil to reduce erosion and increase soil fertility.

Fair trade

A movement to ensure that producers receive a fair price for their products.

Aquaculture

Fish farming which has become a profitable sector for small farmers.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA)

A program where consumers receive produce directly from farmers.

Von Thünen’s Model

A model explaining land use based on distance from a central marketplace and labor intensity.

Desertification

A process where human activities turn vegetated areas into desert-like landscapes.

Shifting cultivation

A form of agriculture involving the clearing and cultivation of land for a few years before moving to a new area.

Monoculture

Cultivation of a single crop in a given area to maximize output.

Mixed farming

A farming system where multiple crops and animals are grown on the same farm.

Extensive subsistence agriculture

Farming with low labor inputs per unit of land, common in less inhabited regions.

Dietary restrictions

Cultural or religious beliefs that limit the consumption or trade of certain foods.

Double cropping

Planting two crops one after another on the same plot in a single year.

Triple cropping

Planting three crops in one year on the same plot.

Irrigation

A method to provide water to crops, essential in arid climates.

Dairying

The agricultural practice focused on producing milk and dairy products.

Ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization

A milk preservation method that extends shelf life by flash-pasteurizing.

Plantation agriculture

Extensive agriculture focused on specialized crops for domestic consumption and export.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Plants or animals whose genetic material has been altered through biotechnology.

Organic farming

Agricultural practices that avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Value-added product

Food that is processed on the farm to increase its economic value.