AP Human Geography Unit 5: Agriculture and Rural Land Use Patterns and Processes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and definitions related to food and agriculture.

food security

Physical, social, & economic access to safe & nutritious foods to meet dietary needs.

undernourishment

Consumption level below what is needed for dietary energy.

cereal grain

Seeds of grasses cultivated for food.

grain

Seeds of cereal grass.

dietary energy consumption

The amount of food energy an individual consumes.

malnutrition

Deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's intake of energy and nutrients.

subsistence agriculture

Farming aimed at producing food for the farmer's family, not for sale.

commercial agriculture

Agriculture aimed at producing goods for sale.

cash crop

Crops grown for direct sale rather than subsistence.

first agricultural revolution

Domestication of plants and animals around 8000 BCE.

second agricultural revolution

Increase in agricultural productivity in the 17th century.

green revolution

Dramatic increase in agricultural productivity due to technology in the second half of the 20th century.

shifting cultivation

Agricultural system involving moving from one plot to another to allow soil recovery.

intensive agriculture

Farming that requires a large amount of labor and capital for a small piece of land.

extensive agriculture

Farming that requires low capital and labor for larger areas of land.

aquaculture

Cultivation of seafood under controlled conditions.

genetically modified organisms (GMO)

Organisms whose genetic material has been altered, typically through biotechnology.

desertification

Degradation of land, especially in semi-arid regions, caused by human activities.

organic agriculture

Farming that depends on naturally occurring processes and limits synthetic substances.

pesticides

Substances used to control pests, including weeds.

herbicides

Chemicals used to control unwanted plants.

fishing

Capture of wild fish and other sea animals.

plantation farming

Large commercial farms in developing countries that specialize in cash crops.

pastoral nomadism

A form of subsistence agriculture based on the herding of domesticated animals.

commercial gardening

Farming emphasizing the production of fruits and vegetables for sale.

mixed crop and livestock farming

System in which crops and livestock are integrated.

forestry

The management of forests for timber and other products.

rural settlement patterns

Patterns of human habitation in rural areas characterized by clustered, dispersed, or linear arrangements.

bid-rent curve

A model showing how land prices change depending on distance from the market.

von Thünen model

A model explaining agricultural land use based on distance from the market.

double cropping

Harvesting twice a year from the same field.

crop rotation

The practice of rotating crops to maintain soil health.

paddy

A flooded field used for growing rice.

sawah

A Malay term for a flooded rice field.

climate change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

urbanization

The process whereby populations move from rural to urban areas.

caloric intake

The number of calories consumed by an individual.

obesity

A condition characterized by excessive body fat.

food deserts

Areas where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited.

agricultural biotechnology

The application of scientific tools and techniques to modify plants and animals.

monocropping

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop, year after year.

climate types

Classification of regions based on climatic conditions.

government subsidies

Financial assistance provided by the government to support farmers.

sustainable agriculture

Farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising the ability of future generations.

food sovereignty

The right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods.

crop yield

The quantity of crop produced per unit of land.

water management

Strategies to manage water resources effectively.

irrigation

The artificial application of water to soil or land.

environmental degradation

Deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil.

land use changes

Alterations in the way land is utilized, particularly for agriculture or urban development.

agroforestry

A land management system that combines trees and shrubs with crops or livestock.

bioengineering

The modification of organisms using biotechnological techniques to improve agricultural output.

mono-cropping

Growing a single crop on a given piece of land.

pastoralism

The practice of raising animals for food, clothing, and other products.

slash-and-burn agriculture

An agricultural practice where vegetation is cut down and burned to clear land for cultivation.

crop diversity

The variety of crops grown within a particular agricultural system.

rural depopulation

The process of people moving away from rural areas to urban centers.

food waste

Food that is discarded or not consumed.

farming subsidies

Financial assistance provided to farmers to support agricultural activity.

urban agriculture

Growing, processing, and distributing food in and around urban areas.

food distribution

The process of ensuring that food reaches consumers.

land ownership patterns

The distribution and control of land among individuals or entities.

agricultural policies

Laws and regulations that govern agricultural production and trade.

climate resilience

The ability of a farming system to withstand climate changes.

biomass

Organic material from plants and animals that can be used as a renewable energy source.

agricultural mechanization

The use of machinery to increase agricultural production efficiency.

social sustainability

Maintaining social equity and quality of life through agriculture.

trade agreements

Contracts between countries that outline the terms of trade.

agronomy

The science of soil management and crop production.

food culture

The practices, beliefs, and customs that revolve around the production and consumption of food.

regional agriculture

Farming practices that vary by geographic region due to climate, soil, and cultural factors.