AP Human

What is the definition of agriculture?

Agriculture is the deliberate modification of Earth’s surface through cultivation of plants and raising animals.

What distinguishes subsistence agriculture from commercial agriculture?

Subsistence agriculture is food grown primarily for the farmer’s family, while commercial agriculture is produced primarily for sale.

What is intensive agriculture?

Intensive agriculture is a type of farming that requires a large amount of labor and capital to increase productivity on a small area of land.

What is extensive agriculture?

Extensive agriculture refers to farming practices that require a large area of land with lower labor input per unit of land.

What are the characteristics of clustered rural settlement patterns?

Clustered rural settlement patterns are characterized by homes and farm buildings located close together, often for social or economical advantages.

What are the key factors leading to dispersed farmsteads in the U.S.?

Dispersed farmsteads in the U.S. arise from government land policies, political stability, and private land ownership.

What is the Township & Range land survey system?

The Township & Range system is a rectangular grid used to survey land in the Western U.S. for efficient subdivision.

What defines Metes & Bounds land survey system?

Metes & Bounds is an irregular land surveying system based on natural landmarks and descriptions of the boundaries.

What is shifting cultivation (slash-and-burn)?

Shifting cultivation is a farming method where farmers clear land by cutting and burning vegetation, farm it for a few years, and then move on.

What characterizes pastoral nomadism?

Pastoral nomadism involves raising livestock and moving seasonally to find pasture and water.

What is the Neolithic Revolution?

The Neolithic Revolution refers to the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities.

What innovations were introduced during the Second Agricultural Revolution?

The Second Agricultural Revolution introduced mechanization, crop rotation, and selective breeding.

What is the Green Revolution known for?

The Green Revolution is known for the introduction of high-yield seeds, fertilizers, irrigation systems, and pesticides to increase food production.

What are key consequences of the Green Revolution?

Key consequences include increased yields, environmental damage, income inequality, and dependency on global markets.

What is Bid-Rent Theory?

Bid-Rent Theory explains land value patterns and competing land uses in urban areas.

What are some environmental impacts of feedlots?

Environmental impacts of feedlots include water pollution, manure runoff, and methane emissions.

What are the main challenges facing contemporary agriculture?

Contemporary agriculture faces challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, market volatility, and rural depopulation.

What is agribusiness?

Agribusiness refers to large corporate farms that operate with economies of scale and mechanization, leading to fewer small farms.

What are the characteristics of plantation agriculture?

Plantation agriculture is characterized by large estates, single cash crops, export orientation, and often takes place in tropical climates.