Agriculture and Rural Land-Use Patterns and Processes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to agriculture and rural land-use patterns discussed in the lecture notes.

Agriculture

The process by which humans alter the landscape to cultivate crops and raise livestock for consumption and trade.

Subsistence Agriculture

Agricultural practice aimed primarily at growing enough food to feed the farmer's family, with little surplus for trade.

Commercial Agriculture

Farming with the primary goal of producing food for sale for profit, usually involving advanced technologies.

Intensive Agriculture

Farming practices that use a high level of inputs (labor, capital, etc.) to maximize yields.

Extensive Agriculture

Farming practices that use lower levels of input and area to produce outputs; usually results in lower productivity per unit.

Green Revolution

A period of agricultural transformation that occurred in the mid-20th century, characterized by the introduction of high-yield crop varieties and improved agricultural technologies.

Pastoral Nomadism

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

Shifting Cultivation

An agricultural system where plots of land are cleared, cultivated for a few years, and then abandoned for new plots.

Terrace Farming

An agricultural method where flat areas are carved into the side of hills or mountains to create arable land.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms, such as fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants, under controlled conditions.

GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to exhibit traits that are not naturally theirs.

Commodification

The process by which goods and services become available for exchange in the marketplace.

Bid-Rent Theory

Economic theory that describes how the price and demand for land changes as distance from the market increases.

Food Deserts

Areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, typically found in impoverished regions.

Fair Trade

A movement that seeks to promote equitable trading conditions for farmers and workers, ensuring a fair price and fostering sustainable practices.

Irrigation

The artificial application of water to soil or land to assist in the growing of crops.

Deforestation

The large-scale removal of trees from forested areas, often to clear land for agriculture.

Desertification

The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Land Use Change

The alteration of the landscape as a result of human activity, typically to convert natural land to agricultural or urban uses.

Climate and Agriculture

The influence of long-term weather patterns on the types of crops grown and farming practices employed.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another, impacting agricultural practices and land use.

Commercial Gardening

The intensive production of vegetables and fruits for sale, often Plying modern technology and labor practices.

Vertical Farming

A method of growing food in stacked layers, often used in urban settings to maximize space and resource efficiency.

Agribusiness

Businesses involved in the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products.

Value-Added Products

Products that have been processed or enhanced to increase their value, such as turning raw crops into packaged food.

Organic Farming

A farming system that avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, relying instead on natural processes and materials.