APES Unit 5 VOCABS/TERMS

Terracing

Terracing

"Steps" are built into hillsides or mountains; commonly used in rice cultivation; prevent runoff of soil, nutrients, and water

Contour plowing

Rows are plowed and planted so that they follow the shape of a hill(instead of up and down); slows runoff and reduces erosion

No-till/minimum till agriculture

Very narrow furrow is dug just big enough to plant seed; lessens soil erosion and nutrient loss; also maintains beneficial microbes in soil and lessens release of CO2 into the atmosphere

Strip cropping

Planting alternating rows of 2 different crops(one is usually a more densely rooted crop) slows runoff and erosion

Windbreaks

Trees or shrubs are planted in long lines to help slow fast moving winds; lessens soil erosion

Riparian zones

A "buffer zone" of trees and shrubs is left along the banks of the stream; prevents soil/sediment from running into stream and decreases soil erosion and water pollution

Cover crops

Short or small plants(often perennials) are planted along/under other taller crops(like corn); reduces soil erosion, maintains soil biodiversity, and can also replenish nutrients(especially if legumes are used)

Crop rotation

Different crops are planted in alternating years; at least one is a legume(beans and peas) to cycle nitrogen; replenishes soil nutrients, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers

Rotational grazing

Only one portion of a pasture is used to graze animals at a time; the other parts "rest" so that grass and regrow; animals are moved from place to place; lessens overgrazing, soil compaction, erosion, animals can also be grass fed instead of corn fed

Compost(and other organic fertilizers):

Organic material made from partially decomposed plant material(food scraps, yard waste, etc.); contains lots of nutrients and can also improve water retention; reduces need for chemical fertilizers and can prevent erosion

Green manure

(plant waste)

Cover crop is grown then uprooted or plowed, then plant material is left to decompose; replenishes soil nutrients, reduces erosion; reduces need for chemical fertilizers

Integrated pest management(IPM)

Using a variety of methods for controlling pests; prioritizes the use of physical or biological methods instead of chemical pesticides; reduces use of potentially harmful chemical pesticides

(vertical) prevention → intervention

(bottom to top of pyramid) cultural, physical-mechanical, biological, and chemical

Biocontrols

Using natural predators to control pests(such as ladybugs to eat aphids); reduces use of potentially harmful chemical pesticides

Organic agriculture

Seeks to produce food without the use of chemicals/synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics

Regenerative agriculture

Using methods of soil conservation to replenish soil nutrients and biodiversity, lessen erosion, and reduce climate change

Best Management Practices

A variety of land management techniques designed to sustainably use the land in a way that protects water quality, biodiversity, aesthetics, and recreation

Old-growth forest

uncut or regenerated forest that has not been seriously disturbed for several hundred years.

Second-growth forest

a stand(group) of trees resulting from natural secondary succession.

Overburden

the layer of soil and/or rock material that sits on top of the target material

Spoils

once the overburden is removed, it is placed in large piles or heaps, now known as spoils

Gangue

the worthless material that is found around and/or mixed with the desired material and must be removed

Smelting

the extraction or separation of the target mineral from its ore through heating and melting; chemicals can also be used to dissolve the unwanted material (such as cyanide in gold production)

Tailings

The waste material left over after the target mineral is separated from the ore; sometimes known as slag

CAFO

Concentrated animal feeding operation

Pesticide biomagnification

the buildup of a contaminant(pesticide) as it is passed up a food chain; organisms at the top of the food chain have the highest concentrations of contaminant

Pesticide bioaccumulation

the buildup of a contaminant(pesticide) in an organism over time

Inorganic (synthetic) fertilizers

Active ingredients contain nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium and other trace nutrients

Rachel Carson

Wrote Silent Spring which introduced the U.S. to the dangers of the pesticide DDT and related compounds to the environment.

Habitat corridors

protected strips of land that allow the migration of organisms from one wilderness area to another

Biosphere reserves

protected areas consisting of zones that vary in the amount of permissible human impact

Multiple-use land

A mix of uses of land(timber, ecological services, recreation, mining)

Crown fires

are big fires that spreads quickly(bad)

PRESCRIBED BURN

controlled surface fires

Urban (and suburban) sprawl

Unrestricted spread of the suburbs into outlying rural areas, often without adequate planning or conservation efforts.

SMART GROWTH

A set of principles for community planning that focuses on strategies to encourage the development of sustainable, healthy communities.

Furrow

dig trenches along crop rows and fill with water(no need for expensive tools); approx 35% water loss(need constant supply of water)

Flood

entire field is flooded with water(no need for expensive tools); 20-30% efficient, but can flood plants(need constant supply of water)

Spray

water is pumped into device with spray nozzles; expensive and uses energy, but 5-25% water loss

Drip

slowly dripping hose or pipe is laid on ground or buried below the surface; expensive to install, but only 5-10% water loss

Ogallala

largest aquifer in US(depleted quickly)

Soil erosion

the movement of soil components, especially surface litter and topsoil, by wind or water.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC)

is the global intergovernmental body charged with the conservation of whales and the management of whaling.

Perennial crops

comes up every year(does not need for replant)

T.E.D.

Since 1989 the U.S. government has required offshore shrimp trawlers to use turtle exclusion devices

Polyvarietal cultivation

planting several genetic varieties.

Intercropping

two or more different crops grown at the same time in a plot.

Agroforestry

crops and trees are grown together.

Polyculture

different plants are planted together.

Monoculture

the cultivation of a single crop in a given area.

Free range

a method of farming husbandry where the animals, for at least part of the day, can roam freely outdoors, rather than being confined in an enclosure for 24 hours each day.