Untitled Flashcard Set

Food insecurity

When people lack reliable access to sufficient, nutritious food.

Undernutrition

Not enough calories or nutrients, leading to stunted growth, weakened immune system, and potential death.

Overnutrition

Excess calorie intake, often low in nutrition, leading to obesity and diseases like diabetes.

Famine

Extreme food shortage causing widespread starvation, malnutrition, and social instability.

Industrial agriculture

Large-scale, mechanized agriculture that uses fossil fuels, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Plantation agriculture

Large farms growing a single cash crop, often in tropical regions, focused on export.

Shifting agriculture

Farming small plots briefly and then abandoning them, relying on natural soil recovery.

Nomadic herding

Moving livestock to find pasture, common in dry regions with low environmental impact.

Crop rotation

Alternating crops to maintain soil nutrients and biodiversity.

Slash-and-burn

Clearing land by burning vegetation, which causes nutrient loss and deforestation.

Soil horizons

Different layers of soil, each with distinct characteristics, from organic matter to bedrock.

Loam

Ideal soil type, a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay.

Green Revolution

A series of research and technology transfer initiatives that increased food production through high-yield crops.

Economies of scale

Cost advantages obtained due to the scale of production, often leading to monoculture.

Gene Revolution

Advancements in genetic engineering that increase crop yields but can reduce genetic diversity.

CAFOs (feedlots)

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations that are criticized for environmental and ethical concerns.

Energy subsidies

Extra energy input needed to produce food, making industrial agriculture energy inefficient.

Aquaculture

Fish farming that provides high protein yield but raises concerns about pollution and disease spread.

Desertification

Process by which productive land becomes desert due to various environmental factors.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill pests that can have various effects on human health and the environment.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A sustainable approach to pest control that combines multiple strategies for long-term effectiveness.

Sustainable agriculture

Farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising future resources.

Soil conservation techniques

Methods used to manage soil erosion and improve soil health.