review packet

Divergent Plate Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move apart, examples include the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Great Rift Valley.

Transform Plate Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past each other, with examples like the San Andreas Fault and the fault lines in Turkey.

Convergent Plate Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, leading to features such as the Himalayas and the Andes Mountains.

Weathering

The process of breaking down rocks into soil.

Topsoil

The uppermost layer of soil, most productive due to its high organic matter content.

Soil Composition

The makeup of soil, including minerals, organic material, water, and air.

Nutrient Cycling

The process of moving nutrients through the ecosystem, one of the ecosystem services of soil.

Permeability

The rate at which water moves through soil.

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

A soil property that indicates its ability to retain essential nutrients, typically higher in clay soils.

pH

A measure of acidity/alkalinity that affects nutrient availability in soil.

Loam

The ideal type of soil, with a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay.

Soil Degradation

The deterioration of soil quality due to overgrazing, deforestation, and poor agricultural practices.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where shared resources are overused and depleted, exemplified by overfishing.

Monocropping

An agricultural practice involving the cultivation of a single crop over a large area.

Pesticide Treadmill

The cycle of increasing pesticide use due to pests developing resistance.

Aquifer Depletion

The excessive extraction of groundwater, leading to a significant decline in aquifer levels.

Contour Plowing

An agricultural technique that involves plowing across the contour lines of the land to reduce soil erosion.

Crop Rotation

The practice of alternating the type of crop grown in a particular area to prevent nutrient depletion.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that aim for long-term productivity while minimizing environmental impact.

Green Manure

Cover crops grown to improve soil fertility by adding nutrients back into the soil.

Saltwater Intrusion

The movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers, often caused by over-extraction of groundwater.

Rotational Grazing

A livestock management technique that involves rotating grazing areas to prevent overgrazing.

Environmental Consequences of Modern Agriculture

Negative impacts including climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, and loss of biodiversity.

Steps to Feeding the World Sustainably

Methods such as reducing food waste, improving crop efficiency, and promoting regenerative agriculture.