Unit 5 Land and Water Use

A set of flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to land and water use in agriculture, focusing on methods, sustainability, and pest control.

Human Nutritional Requirements

A healthy diet requires 2500 calories for the average male and 2000 calories for the average female, along with a balanced intake of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.

Alley Cropping

A method of planting crops in strips with rows of trees or shrubs on either side.

Conservation Tillage

A method that leaves at least 30% of crop residue on the soil surface during the critical soil erosion period.

Crop Rotation

The practice of planting a field with different crops throughout the year to reduce soil nutrient depletion.

High-Input Agriculture

Agriculture that includes the use of mechanized equipment, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides.

Industrial Agriculture

A system characterized by high-input agriculture focused on maximizing productivity and profitability.

Intercropping

The practice of growing more than one crop in the same field.

Organic Farming

Agriculture that relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity.

Polyculture

A method that uses different crops in the same space, imitating the diversity of natural ecosystems.

Subsistence Agriculture

Farming that is carried out primarily for survival, typically organic.

Terracing

The construction of graduated terrace steps used for farming on hilly or mountainous terrain.

Fertilizer

Substances that provide nutrients to plants, classified into inorganic (synthetic) and organic (natural) types.

Genetically Modified Crops

Crops engineered to increase yields and reduce the need for chemical pesticides.

Sustainable Agriculture

Agriculture that aims for production systems that are profitable, environmentally sound, and energy efficient.

First Agricultural Revolution

The transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement.

Types of Pesticides

Includes biological, chemical, and organic pesticides, each with specific uses and impacts.

Costs and Benefits of Pesticide Use

Pros include pest control and increased food supply, while cons include ecological damage and the development of pest resistance.