Land and Water Use

These flashcards cover key terms related to land and water use, ensuring a comprehensive review of critical vocabulary.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation in which individuals acting in their own self-interest degrade a shared resource.

Clearcutting

A logging practice that removes most or all trees from an area, leading to environmental issues.

Green Revolution

A period of agricultural transformation that increased food production worldwide through modern techniques.

Undernutrition

A long-term condition where individuals receive insufficient calories, making them more susceptible to illness.

Malnourished

A condition resulting from a lack of proper nutrition, characterized by an imbalance of nutrients.

Food Security

The condition in which people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet dietary needs.

Famine

A severe shortage of food that leads to widespread starvation and death.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a deficiency in iron, leading to a reduction in red blood cells.

Industrial Agriculture

A system of farming that relies heavily on mechanization and technology to maximize production.

Subsidy

Financial assistance from the government to support a business or industry, often to keep prices low.

Mechanization

The use of machines in agriculture to improve productivity and efficiency.

Monocropping

An agricultural practice of growing a single crop variety in a given area.

Genetic Engineering

A technology that involves altering the genes of organisms to achieve desired traits.

Irrigation

Artificial application of water to soil to assist in growing crops.

Salinization

The accumulation of salts in soil, often as a result of irrigation practices.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that aim to meet food and fiber needs while enhancing soil quality.

Crop Rotation

The practice of alternating the types of crops grown in a particular area from season to season.

Agroforestry

A land use management system that integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes.

Contour Plowing

A method of plowing that follows the natural contours of the land to reduce soil erosion.

Pesticide Resistance

The ability of pests to survive and reproduce despite exposure to toxic chemicals designed to kill them.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

An approach to pest control that combines biological, physical, and chemical practices.

CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations)

Industrial agricultural facilities that house large numbers of livestock in confined spaces.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms, such as fish and shellfish, in controlled environments.

Overgrazing

A condition where too many livestock feed on a specific area, degrading land and vegetation.

Urban Sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into rural areas, often resulting in environmental degradation.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of the environmental impact of an individual or population in terms of land and resources consumed.

Sustainability

The ability to maintain ecological balance by using resources judiciously, ensuring future generations can meet their needs.

Environmental Indicators

Metrics used to assess the state of the environment and identify areas that require management attention.

Resource Depletion

The consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished, affecting availability.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

The maximum amount of a resource that can be harvested sustainably without compromising future availability.

Federal Regulation of Land Use

Laws and policies governing the management and protection of land and resources at the national level.