Unit 5: Agriculture and Rural Land-Use Patterns and Processes (copy)

Primary economy

Economic activities focused on extracting and harvesting raw materials, such as timber, fisheries, and mineral and energy resources.

Intensive agriculture

Agricultural system that requires a lot of labor input and is focused on a small plot of land.

Extensive agriculture

Agricultural system that requires limited labor input and is spread across large areas of land.

Transhumance

Seasonal movement of groups to avoid harsh climates and follow animal herds for food sources.

Pastoralism

Agriculture based on the seasonal movement of livestock between pastures.

Nomadic herding

Practice where communities migrate with their herds following seasonal grazing patterns.

Mixed farming

Agricultural system that simultaneously produces multiple crops and livestock to provide diverse nutrition.

Monoculture

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop species over a wide area.

Cash cropping

Growing crops primarily for sale and profit rather than for direct consumption.

Human ecology

Study of interactions between humans and their natural environment.

Irrigation

Artificial application of water to soil to assist in the growing of crops.

Conservation agriculture

Farming practices designed to conserve soil and water resources.

Slash and burn agriculture

Farming method where land is cleared by cutting and burning trees and plants.

Desertification

Process by which fertile land becomes desert due to various factors, including drought and deforestation.

Organic farming

Agricultural practice that avoids synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms.

Fair trade movement

Movement aimed at ensuring fair prices and conditions for farmers and artisans.

Aquaculture

The cultivation of aquatic organisms, such as fish and shellfish, for food.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA)

Program where consumers subscribe to receive regular deliveries of produce directly from a farm.

Von Thünen’s Model

Model proposing that land use is determined by transportation costs and the intensity of agricultural practices.