BIOL251.Chapter7.Agriculture

Malnourishment

Nutritional imbalances caused by a lack of specific nutrients, which can lead to lower disease resistance and growth deficiencies.

Food Security

The ability to obtain sufficient, healthy food on a day-to-day basis, influenced by economic, environmental, and social conditions.

Golden Rice

Genetically modified rice that contains beta-carotene, which helps combat Vitamin A deficiency.

Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)

A system where animals are housed and fed mainly soy and corn for rapid growth, often leading to increased use of antibiotics.

Green Revolution

A significant increase in agricultural production due to the development and spread of high-yield crop varieties, reliant on optimal inputs.

Soil Erosion

The process where soil is washed away, which can damage aquatic systems and degrade water quality.

Pesticide Treadmill

A cycle where the overuse of pesticides leads to resistant pests, prompting the use of increasingly complex and toxic pesticide mixtures.

Carbon Farming

A practice that builds soil organic content through reduced tilling and cover crops to sequester carbon and improve soil quality.

Aquaculture

The farming of fish in controlled environments, which can have both environmental benefits and drawbacks.

Irrigation

The artificial application of water to soil to assist in the growing of crops, which consumes a significant amount of fresh water resources.