Environmental Science: Agriculture, Food Production & Soil

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms related to agriculture, food production, and soil health, aiding in the understanding of environmental science.

Agriculture

The practice of growing plants and raising animals for food, fiber, and other human needs.

Industrial Agriculture

Large-scale, high-yield farming that relies on machines, chemicals, and large amounts of energy and water to maximize food production.

Monoculture

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop over a large area, which can lead to vulnerability to pests and diseases.

Aquaculture

The controlled farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants for food.

Green Revolution

A period of major advances in agriculture from the 1940s to the 1980s, resulting in increased food production through new technologies.

Pest

Any organism that damages crops; often managed through chemical pesticides or biological pest control.

Biological Pest Control

The use of natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control pest populations.

Integrated Pest Management

A sustainable strategy that combines chemical, biological, and other pest management methods.

Biotechnology

The use of living organisms, cells, or biological systems to develop products or solve problems, such as creating GMOs.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Organisms whose DNA has been altered through genetic engineering to exhibit desired traits.

Precision Agriculture

The use of technology like GPS and sensors to apply resources more efficiently in farming.

Soil

A mix of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms that supports plant growth.

Erosion

The removal of soil by water, wind, or ice, which can threaten soil health when it occurs faster than soil formation.

Desertification

The process through which fertile land loses productivity, often due to erosive activities and climate change.

Phosphorus Cycle

The cycle of phosphorus through rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals, essential for living organisms.

Eutrophication

A nutrient overload in water bodies that causes rapid algae growth, leading to hypoxic conditions for aquatic life.

Nitrogen Cycle

The process through which nitrogen is converted to various forms for use by living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and nitrification.