chapter 12

Cold mid latitude

Region producing wheat, barley, livestock.

Warm mid latitude

Region producing fruits, rice.

Mediterranean

Region producing grapes, olives, dates.

Tropical

Region producing coffee, sugar, tea.

Koppen climate classification

Categorizes climates: Tropical, Dry, Temperate, Continental, Polar.

Environmental possibilism

Theory transforming farming through technology.

Genetic modification

Alteration of organisms to enhance traits.

Chemical fertilizers

Substances added to soil to enhance growth.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill pests.

Greenhouses

Controlled environments for growing plants.

Vertical farming

Growing crops in stacked layers.

Irrigation systems

Methods to supply water to crops.

Artificial lighting

Use of lights to promote plant growth.

Intensive agriculture

High labor/capital, low land use.

Extensive agriculture

Low labor/capital, high land use.

Plantation agriculture

Focus on cash crops in developing countries.

Cash crops

Crops grown for sale rather than subsistence.

Mixed crop and livestock

Combines crop production with livestock raising.

Market gardening

Production of fruits and vegetables for sale.

Shifting cultivation

Rotating fields to maintain soil fertility.

Nomadic herding

Seasonal movement of livestock for grazing.

Ranching

Raising livestock on large land areas.

Agricultural considerations

Factors affecting farming: climate, water, soil.

Sustainable practices

Methods to maintain ecological balance in farming.

Crop rotation

Alternating crops to improve soil health.

Natural pest control

Using natural predators to manage pests.

Water conservation

Efficient use and management of water resources.

Soil management

Practices to maintain soil health.

Food security

Access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food.

Second Agricultural Revolution

Technological advancements from 17th to 20th century.

Seed drill

Device for planting seeds at proper depth.

Mechanical reaper

Machine for harvesting grain efficiently.

Steel plow

Innovative tool for breaking tough soil.

Columbian Exchange

Exchange of goods between Americas and Europe.

New World crops

Maize, potatoes, sweet potatoes introduced to Europe.

Old World crops

Wheat, horses, cattle introduced to Americas.

Green Revolution

1960s-70s movement to increase crop yields.

High yield hybrid crops

Crossbred seeds for improved agricultural output.

Double cropping

Growing two crops in a single year.

Social consequences of Green Revolution

Often excluded women from agricultural advancements.

Commodity chain

Links bringing goods from producers to consumers.

Vertical integration

Ownership of multiple commodity chain stages.

Agribusiness corporations

Large companies involved in agricultural production.

Legacy of Green Revolution

Increased food production, new challenges emerged.