agriculture and food production

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms like fish, shellfish, and algae.

Biological Control

Using natural predators or parasites to manage pests.

Broad Spectrum Pesticide

Pesticides that target a wide range of pests, including beneficial species.

Cash Crop

A crop grown primarily for sale and profit, rather than for personal use.

Composting

The process of recycling organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.

Contour Farming

Plowing along the contours of the land to reduce soil erosion.

Desertification

The process of land becoming desert-like, often due to overuse or climate change.

Feedlot Runoff

Wastewater from feedlots that can pollute nearby water sources.

Fallow

Land that is left unused to recover its fertility.

Fisheries

Areas where fish are caught or farmed for food.

Fungicide

A chemical used to kill or control fungi.

Genetic Engineering

Altering the DNA of organisms to create desired traits.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

An organism whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering.

Green Revolution

A period of increased agricultural production due to new technologies, like high-yield crops.

Ground Subsidence

The sinking of the Earth's surface due to the removal of groundwater or minerals.

Herbicide

A chemical used to kill or control unwanted plants (weeds).

Hydroponics

Growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water.

Industrialized Agriculture

Large-scale farming using machinery, chemicals, and high-yield crops.

Inorganic Fertilizer

Synthetic fertilizers made from non-organic materials.

Insecticide

A chemical used to kill or control insects.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A strategy that combines biological, chemical, and cultural methods to manage pests.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

The largest amount of a resource that can be harvested without damaging the ecosystem.

Monoculture

The cultivation of a single crop over a large area.

Narrow Spectrum Pesticide

Pesticides that target a specific type of pest.

Natural Pesticide

A pesticide derived from natural sources, like plants or minerals.

Nitrates

Chemical compounds containing nitrogen, often found in fertilizers and can pollute water.

No-Till Agriculture

A farming method that avoids plowing the soil to reduce erosion.

Optimal Sustainable Yield (OSY)

The harvest level of a resource that maximizes long-term yield without causing damage.

Organic Farming

Farming that uses natural methods, avoiding synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.

Organic Fertilizer

Fertilizer made from natural sources like compost, manure, or plant material.

Overgrazing

Grazing by livestock that exceeds the land's capacity to regenerate.

Pest

An organism that harms crops, livestock, or the environment.

Pesticide

Chemicals used to kill or control pests.

Pesticide Treadmill

The cycle of using more chemicals as pests develop resistance.

Rodenticide

A chemical used to kill rodents.

Ruminant

Animals like cows, sheep, and goats that digest food through fermentation in their stomachs.

Seed Bank

A storage facility for preserving seeds to protect plant biodiversity.

Shelterbelts

Rows of trees or shrubs planted to protect crops from wind and reduce soil erosion.

Slash-and-Burn Agriculture

A farming method where vegetation is cut down and burned to clear land for crops.

Traditional Subsistence Agriculture

Farming for personal consumption, with little surplus for trade.