Untitled Flashcard Set

Agribusiness

The business of agricultural production, including the farming, processing, and distribution of agricultural products.

Agrichemicals

Chemicals used in agriculture, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, crustaceans, and plants.

Arid climate

A climate characterized by a lack of precipitation, leading to dry conditions.

Bid-rent theory

A geographical economic theory that explains how land prices vary based on distance from the central business district.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Biofuel

Fuel derived from living matter, typically used as an alternative to fossil fuels.

Biodiesel

A type of biofuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats, used as a renewable energy source.

Biotechnology

Technological applications that use biological systems or living organisms to develop products.

Capital expenditures

Funds used by a company to acquire or upgrade physical assets such as property, industrial buildings, or equipment.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustain without negative effects.

Cassava

A tropical root vegetable, also known as manioc, used as a staple food in many countries.

CBD (Central Business District)

The commercial and business center of a city, typically with a high concentration of businesses and offices.

Central business district (CBD)

See CBD; the central area in a city that serves as the commercial hub.

Cluster farming

A system of farming where multiple farms are located in close proximity to share resources and markets.

Clustered settlement pattern

A type of settlement where buildings and homes are grouped together in specific areas.

Commercial agriculture

Agricultural production primarily for sale in the market rather than for personal consumption.

Community-supported agriculture

A farming model where consumers buy shares of a farm's harvest in advance.

Concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)

A large-scale animal farming operation that holds a significant number of animals in confined spaces.

Conservation tillage

An agricultural practice that minimizes soil disturbance and promotes soil health.

Crossbreeding

The practice of breeding animals or plants from different breeds or varieties to enhance specific traits.

Dairying

The production of milk and its related products such as cheese and yogurt.

Dispersed settlement pattern

A settlement pattern where homes are spread out across a larger area.

Division of labor

The separation of tasks in any economic system so that participants may specialize.

Domestication

The process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use.

Double-cropping

The practice of growing two or more crops in the same space during a single growing season.

Ecological contamination

Pollution that negatively affects the environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems.

Economies of scale

Cost advantages that businesses obtain due to expansion and increased production.

Environmental contamination

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment.

Export commodities

Goods produced for sale in international markets.

Extensive agriculture

Agricultural production that uses large amounts of land with relatively low inputs per hectare.

Fair trade

A trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency, and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade.

Fertile Crescent

A historical region in the Middle East known for its rich soils and early agricultural development.

Fertilizer

Substances added to soil to enhance its fertility.

First Agricultural Revolution

The transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming, marked by the domestication of plants and animals.

Food desert

An area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

French long-lot system

A land division system used in rural areas based on long, narrow lots for better access to rivers.

Genetically modified organism (GMO)

An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

Global supply chain

A worldwide network of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors involved in the production and distribution of goods.

Grain farming

The cultivation of cereal crops such as wheat, corn, and rice.

Green Revolution

A period of agricultural transformation that involved the introduction of high-yielding crop varieties and modern agricultural techniques.

High-yield seed

Seeds developed to produce a higher amount of crop than traditional varieties.

Hinterland

The land surrounding a city or port that is economically tied to it.

Herbicide/pesticides/fungicides

Chemicals used to kill unwanted plants, pests, or fungi in agriculture.

Intensive agriculture

A type of farming that aims to maximize yield per unit of land through high input of labor and capital.

Intercropping

The practice of growing two or more crops in proximity to each other to increase productivity.

Intertillage

The practice of cultivating different crops in the same field at the same time.

Large-scale commercial operation

A farming operation that is extensive and oriented primarily toward large-scale production for sale.

Livestock fattening

The practice of feeding livestock high-energy diets to promote growth before slaughter.

Livestock ranching

The practice of raising cattle, sheep, or other animals for meat and other products.

Local-food movement

A social movement that promotes the consumption of locally-produced food.

Market gardening

The cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers for sale in local markets.

Mechanized farming

Agricultural practices that utilize machinery for planting, harvesting, and processing.

Metes and bounds

A system of land surveying that uses natural landmarks to define property boundaries.

Mixed crop/livestock agriculture

A farming system that incorporates both crops and animals for a more sustainable yield.

Monocropping/monoculture

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

Multicropping

The practice of growing two or more crops in the same space during a single growing season.

Nomadic herding (pastoralism)

A form of agriculture based on the herding of animals and moving them to find fresh pasture.

Nutrient pollution

Pollution caused by excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to water quality issues.

Organic farming

Farming practices that avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, focusing on environmental sustainability.

Paddy rice farming

The cultivation of rice in flooded fields, common in Asia.

Pastoral nomadism

A form of subsistence agriculture involving the herding of domesticated animals.

Plantation agriculture

Large-scale agricultural operations that specialize in the production of a single crop for export.

Proprietary seeds

Seeds that are owned by a company and protected by intellectual property rights.

Rural settlement pattern

The distribution and organization of homes and communities in rural areas.

Rural survey method

Techniques used to assess and analyze rural land use and settlement patterns.

Second Agricultural Revolution

A period of agricultural development that occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries, characterized by advancements in farming technology.

Seed drill

A device that sows seeds at the correct depth and spacing for effective germination.

Shifting cultivation

An agricultural system in which plots of land are cleared and used for a few years before being abandoned.

Soil salinization

The accumulation of salts in soil, often due to irrigation practices.

Staple crop

A crop that is consistently in demand and forms a significant part of a diet.

Suitcase farm

A type of farm where the owner does not live on the land and relies on others for cultivation.

Synthetic fertilizer

Chemicals produced to enhance soil fertility, often made from non-organic materials.

Terrace farming

An agricultural technique where flat surfaces are created on slopes to cultivate crops.

Topography

The arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area.

Townships and range

A system used in the United States to survey and divide land for development.

Traditional agriculture

Farming practices that rely on historical techniques and sustainability.

Urban farming

The practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around urban areas.

Valley-added specialty crops

Crops grown in valleys that have unique market value or demand.

Von Thünen's model

A model that explains the distribution of agricultural activities based on distance from markets.

Water mining

The extraction of water resources faster than they can be replenished, which can lead to resource depletion.