5.10 Consequences of Agricultural Practices

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the environmental and societal consequences of various agricultural practices, ranging from irrigation and grazing to socio-economic shifts.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support without causing environmental degradation.

Overgrazing

The excessive use of grazing land by livestock that occurs when the number of animals exceeds the land's carrying capacity, leading to land degradation.

Rotational Grazing

A livestock management practice where animals are moved to fresh paddocks on a regular basis to allow pastures time to regrow.

Desertification

The process by which fertile land becomes desert-like due to factors such as climate change, overuse, deforestation, and poor land management practices.

Overfishing

The removal of a species of fish from a body of water at a rate that the species cannot replenish, resulting in underpopulation and ecological imbalance.

DDT

A synthetic pesticide ($Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane$) widely used in the mid-$20^{\text{th}}$ century that is known for harming wildlife and polluting water.

Soil Salinization

The process by which water-soluble salts accumulate in soil, which can make it difficult for plants to grow and reduces crop productivity.

Conservation Efforts

Actions taken to protect and preserve the natural environment, such as restoring habitats, implementing sustainable land use, and protecting endangered species.

Changing the Physical Landscape

The alteration of natural environments by human activities, such as construction, agriculture, or mining.

Slash and Burn/Shifting Cultivation

An agricultural method involving cutting down and burning vegetation to use the ashes as fertilizer, moving to a new area once soil fertility decreases.

Terrace Farming

A type of farming where steps or terraces are built into the sides of hills or mountains to reduce soil erosion and capture moisture.

Irrigation

The artificial application of water to land or soil to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, especially in areas with inadequate rainfall.

Drip Irrigation

An efficient irrigation method where water is delivered slowly and directly to the roots of plants through a network of tubes to reduce waste.

Surface Irrigation

A method of irrigation where water is applied to the surface of the soil and allowed to flow naturally through the field.

Sprinkler Irrigation

A method of irrigation where water is sprayed onto crops through a system of pipes and sprinklers.

Draining Wetlands

The removal of excess water from marshes or swamps to increase available farmland, which can decrease biodiversity.

Pastoral Nomadism

A form of subsistence agriculture where people rely on raising livestock and move their herds between pastures and water sources.

Societal Effects of Agriculture

The impact agricultural practices have on society, including changes in population distribution, diets, and the shift from subsistence to global agribusiness.

Role of Women in Agricultural Production and Consumption

Women's contributions in terms of labor input and decision-making power within agricultural systems and their role in consuming products.

Climate Change

Significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time, largely caused by activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Deforestation

The process of removing or clearing large quantities of trees and forests, often for agricultural activities or urban development.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill pests, including insects, rodents, fungi, and unwanted plants (weeds).