Chapter 10: AP Human Geography Flashcards

Chapter 10 Vocabulary

Agricultural Revolution

A period of significant transformation in agriculture marked by the transition from nomadic hunting and gathering to settled farming and the domestication of animals, leading to increased food production and population growth.

Organic agriculture

A farming system that promotes environmentally friendly practices by avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms, and relies on renewable resources, biodiversity, and ecological balance.

Green Revolution

A period during the mid-20th century marked by the introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds, chemical fertilizers, and advanced agricultural techniques, which significantly increased food production, particularly in developing countries.

Monocropping

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop or plant species over a wide area for consecutive seasons.

Crop

A cultivated plant that is grown for food, livestock fodder, fuel, or other agricultural purposes.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia) following the voyages of Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century.

Subsistence agriculture

A type of farming in which crops are grown primarily for the farmer's own use, rather than for sale in the market.

Double cropping

The practice of growing two crops in the same field during a single growing season.

Plantation

A large farm or estate that specializes in the intensive production of a single cash crop, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions.

Dairy Farming

The practice of raising cattle for the production of milk and dairy products such as cheese, butter, and yogurt.

Cereal Grain

The seeds of grass-like plants that are cultivated for food, feed, and other uses, including common examples such as wheat, rice, corn, barley, and oats.

Undernourishment

A condition resulting from insufficient calorie intake, leading to malnutrition and health issues.

Commercial Agriculture

A type of farming that focuses on the production of crops and livestock for sale in the market, often involving large-scale operations and advanced technology.

Overfishing

the depletion of fish stocks due to excessive fishing practices that exceed the reproductive capacity of fish populations.

Sawah

A flooded field used for growing rice, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Milkshed

The region surrounding a city from which milk is supplied, characterized by its proximity to markets and agricultural practices.

Conservation Tillage

an agricultural practice that helps preserve soil moisture and reduce erosion by leaving the previous year's crop residue on the fields.

Pastoral Nomadism

A form of subsistence agriculture based on the herding of domesticated animals, where communities migrate seasonally to find pasture.

Food security

The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, ensuring that all individuals can meet their dietary needs.

Horticulture

the cultivation of fruit, vegetables, and flowers for consumption or trade.

Wet rice

cultivation is a method of farming primarily found in Asia, involving the growing of rice in flooded fields typically using terrace farming techniques.

Mixed crop & livestock farming

a farming system that combines the raising of crops with the keeping of livestock, where resources are shared for mutual benefit.

Agribusiness

a business that encompasses various activities related to agriculture, including production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products.

Ranching

a type of agriculture focused on the breeding and raising of livestock on large areas of land, often involving the grazing of animals such as cattle, sheep, or goats.

Transhumance

the seasonal movement of livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures.

Aqua Farming

the cultivation of aquatic organisms, such as fish and shellfish, in controlled environments.

Pesticide

a chemical used to kill or control pests that affect crops and livestock. Pesticides can include herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

Paddy

a field flooded with water for growing rice.

Desertification

the process by which fertile land becomes increasingly arid and unproductive, often as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

No tillage

a farming practice that avoids the traditional tilling of soil, allowing crops to grow without disrupting the soil structure.

Cash crop

a crop produced for commercial value rather than for use by the grower.

Herbicide

A chemical used to kill unwanted plants or weeds.

Crop rotation

the agricultural practice of alternating the species of crops grown on a particular piece of land to improve soil health and reduce pests.

Truck Farming

A type of commercial farming in which fruits and vegetables are grown for sale in local markets, typically involving intensive cultivation and distribution to urban centers.

Dietary Energy Consumption

The total amount of energy obtained from the food and beverages consumed by an individual, typically measured in calories. It is essential for maintaining bodily functions and supporting daily physical activity.

Genetically Modified Organism

An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce, enhance, or suppress certain traits.

Shifting Cultivation

A traditional agricultural practice where land is cleared, cultivated for a few years, and then left to regenerate while the farmers shift to a new plot.

2nd Agricultural Revolution

A period of technological advancements and increased agricultural productivity from the 17th to the 19th century, characterized by crop rotations, selective breeding, and improved tools, which led to a significant boost in food production and the rise of larger farms.

Ridge Tillage

A conservation tillage practice where crops are planted on raised beds or ridges. This method helps to maintain soil moisture, reduce soil erosion, and improve soil health by minimizing disturbance to the soil structure.

Intensive subsistence agriculture

a form of agriculture that seeks to maximize yield from small plots of land through intensive labor and careful management of resources, often involving the cultivation of rice or other staple crops.