Unit 5 - Agriculture and Rural Land-Use Patterns and Processes

What are the basic requirements for all plants?

Space, light, water, nutrients, and suitable temperature.

How does the physical environment influence agriculture?

Different environments support specific crops, such as Mediterranean crops (grapes, olives) and grassland crops (cattle, corn).

What is environmental possibilism in agriculture?

Humans modify the environment to meet plant needs, such as clearing land for space, using artificial light, irrigation, fertilizers, and greenhouses.

What is the significance of climate in agricultural practices?

Mid-latitude climates support similar agricultural crops, like wheat farming in the US and China.

What characterizes intensive agriculture systems?

They require large amounts of labor and capital, use small plots near populations, and have high yields per acre.

What are examples of crops associated with intensive agriculture?

Rice and milk.

What characterizes extensive agriculture systems?

They have low labor inputs and capital, use large plots away from populations, and have low yields per acre.

What are examples of agricultural systems associated with extensive agriculture?

Shifting cultivation, livestock ranching, nomadic herding, and ranching.

What economic factors influence agriculture?

Cost of land, cost of labor, and cost of machinery.

How do sheep production in New Zealand and poultry production in Arkansas differ in terms of agricultural practices?

Sheep production is extensive agriculture requiring large pastures, while poultry production is intensive agriculture often practiced indoors.

What are the three types of settlement patterns?

Clustered settlement, dispersed settlement, and linear settlement.

What is the metes and bounds survey method?

A method used for short distances that relies on landmarks, such as 'Take a turn at the big red barn'.

What is the long lot survey method?

A method that arranges land in relation to a river.

What is the township and range survey method?

A method that uses a grid system for land division.

What are the major agricultural hearths and their associated crops?

Fertile Crescent (wheat, rye), Southeast Asia (taro, mango), East Asia (rice, soybeans), Central America (corn, potato).

How did agriculture first diffuse regionally?

Through trade routes, such as the Silk Road and the Columbian Exchange.

What is contagious diffusion in the context of agricultural practices?

The spread of domesticated plants and animals through early farmers and traders.

What advancements characterized the Second Agricultural Revolution?

Technological advancements like the steel plow, McCormick reaper, seed drill, and grain elevators.

What were the effects of the Second Agricultural Revolution on food production?

Increased food production and life expectancy.

What was the Green Revolution?

A movement that diffused modern agricultural methods to developing countries after 1950, resulting in higher yield plants and the use of GMOs.

What were some positive effects of the Green Revolution?

Increased food abundance and affordability, reduced starvation, and some countries began exporting food.

What were some negative effects of the Green Revolution?

Loss of family farms due to capital-intensive farming and negative environmental impacts like soil depletion and bee die-off.

What happened to wheat production in India between 1950 and 1990?

Wheat production more than tripled.

What is the purpose of commercial agriculture?

To focus on crops grown for profit.

How does commercial agriculture affect employment?

Less workers are employed as farmers due to the use of machinery.

What characterizes subsistence agriculture?

It aims to provide food for family and/or community, requiring more labor and involving small farms.

What is the difference between intensive and extensive farming?

Intensive farming requires more money and labor compared to the land being farmed, while extensive farming requires less.

What has happened to the number of farms in developed countries?

The number of farms has decreased while the size of farms has increased, with 3 times fewer farms and 2 times more acreage.

What role do agribusinesses play in the agricultural labor force?

They have changed the labor force by mechanizing large farms and relying heavily on migrant labor.

What is the Von Thünen Model?

A model that explains land cost based on the zone in which the land is located, with different zones for market, perishable produce, forests, grains, and livestock.

What is the significance of Zone 0 in the Von Thünen Model?

Zone 0 represents the market location.

What type of agricultural products are likely found in the outermost zone of Von Thünen's model?

Extensive grain or stock raising.

What factor did Von Thünen emphasize in his model of agricultural land use?

Transportation cost.

What modern factors are not accounted for in the early Von Thünen model?

Variation in physical landscape, climate variability, multiple markets, changes in transportation, technological advancements, changes in the role of forests, and purpose of agricultural products.

How do larger countries affect global agriculture?

They export food to smaller, less developed agricultural countries.

What types of crops do countries with climatic advantages typically export?

Luxury crops such as coffee, sugar, and bananas.

How does the global food distribution network get affected?

By political relationships, infrastructure, and world trade patterns.

What legacy affects global agricultural systems?

The legacy of colonialism, which makes trade between former colonies and colonizers easier.

What are some negative impacts of poor farming practices in developing countries?

Water pollution, soil erosion, and deforestation, often due to monocropping.

What is the role of the southern hemisphere in global agriculture?

It provides food to the northern hemisphere during winter months.

Why have many family farms in North America been replaced by agribusiness farms since the 1980s?

Agribusiness farms have the resources to take advantage of economies of scale.

What technological advancements have increased the carrying capacity of land?

Machines for planting and harvesting, chemicals like herbicides and pesticides, and transportation advancements.

What is a consequence of the reliance on migrant labor in agriculture?

Migrant labor is often willing to work for low wages, which affects labor dynamics.

What is monocropping?

A farming practice where a single crop is grown over a wide area, often leading to negative environmental impacts.

What is the significance of palm oil in global agriculture?

Palm oil is obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree, which is grown only in tropical regions.

How has global demand for palm oil affected countries that grow it?

It has provided substantial corporate profit but resulted in heavy deforestation.

What is a major takeaway regarding food in the global trade network?

Food is a major part of the global trade network and can lead to environmental issues in developing countries.

What are some consequences of agricultural practices?

They include increased animal waste, pollution from chemical pesticides, increased desert areas, and soil salinization.

What is an example of increased desert area due to agricultural practices?

The Sahara Desert.

What is an example of soil salinization caused by agricultural practices?

Changes in water movement due to a new dam on the Nile River.

In which country is terracing least likely to be used for farming?

Niger.

What concerns have arisen from advances in biotechnology and aquaculture?

Concerns about water and soil usage, reduction of biodiversity, and sustainability of modern agricultural practices.

What is one environmental pressure caused by modern agricultural practices?

Reservoirs have depleted rivers and streams.

What is a consequence of monocropping in agriculture?

It leads to the loss of soil fertility.

What percentage of plant variation has decreased due to the Green Revolution?

Almost 90%.

Why are cloned plants susceptible to disease?

Because they lack genetic diversity.

How do agricultural chemicals harm the environment?

Chemical fertilizers pollute soil and water, and pesticides have detrimental effects on ecosystems.

What is a consequence of nitrogen runoff from fertilizers?

It causes algae blooms in oceans.

What are some effects of pesticide runoff?

It pollutes drinking water and creates toxic soil conditions that kill beneficial microorganisms.

What has consumer demand led agribusinesses to do?

Adopt more sustainable agricultural practices.

What is a significant takeaway about modern agricultural practices?

They have caused environmental damage, prompting efforts for more sustainable systems.

How do individual food choices influence consumption patterns?

Consumers in developed countries are increasingly trying to eat healthier diets.

What percentage of the world's population experiences food insecurity?

11%.

What is a food desert?

A geographic area where access to affordable healthy food is limited.

What are some problems with food distribution systems in developing countries?

Lack of infrastructure or transportation leads to food spoiling before reaching the hungry.

What is an example of adverse weather effects impacting food security?

Wildfires in California.

What cultural shifts have occurred regarding women in agriculture?

There have been shifts in cultural norms that have changed traditional roles for women in agriculture.