Key Terms in Human Geography and Agriculture

Vocabulary flashcards related to key terms and concepts in human geography, agriculture, and environmental studies.

Intensive Agriculture

A farming system characterized by a high level of labor and capital in relation to land area.

Extensive Agriculture

A farming system that relies on a larger area of land with lower labor and capital input.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, disease, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World after Christopher Columbus's voyages.

Fertile Crescent

A region in the Middle East known for its rich soil and early farming communities.

High Yield Variety (HYV)

Genetically enhanced crops that are more productive and can help increase food availability.

Monoculture

Agricultural practice of growing a single crop or plant species over a wide area, leading to reduced biodiversity.

Vertical Integration

A business model where a company controls multiple stages of production, from raw materials to finished goods.

Food Desert

An area where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

Aquaculture

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

Hydroponics

A method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water instead.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals an environment can sustainably support without degrading.

Corporate Farming

Large-scale farming operation typically owned by corporations rather than family farms.

Localism in Agriculture

The practice of sourcing food locally, emphasizing fresher and environmentally-friendly options.

Transhumance

The seasonal movement of people and their livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures.

Slash and Burn Agriculture

A farming method that involves cutting and burning plants in forests to create fields for cultivation.

Organic Farming

An agricultural approach that avoids synthetic chemicals and uses natural processes for fertilization and pest control.