ib ess unit 5.1-5.2

eluvial

loss of material through water

illuvial

gain of material through water

erosion

take away of soil

leaching

too many inorganic materials (metals and minerals) that make a soil less fertile

porosity

measure of volume in empty spaces/voids within a material compared to its volume

aeration/oxygenation

the ability for air to pass through the soil

workability

how manipulative a soil type can be

desertification

the extreme loss of nutrients in the soil

logistic growth

organisms are limited by the conditions of their environment

carrying capacity

(also known as "K") max number of individuals in an environment

high-yield crops (cash crops)

corn, soy, wheat

teracing

leveled farming; prevents run-off; gives more nutrients to plants down-the-line

wind break

meathod to prevent erosion

crop rotation

the act of changing crops to reduce nutrient draining

mono culture

just planting one crop; opposite** of crop rotation

soil conditioners

keeps nutrients rich and fertile

green revolution

industrialization of agriculture (GMOS, monoculture, artificial fertilizers (nitrates & phosphates)

Subsistence farming

farming enough only for you and your imediate family

shifting cultivation

"Slash and Burn" technique; clear a piece of land, use it, then move on to another piece

nomadic herding

Communities move with their livestock in search of water and pasture; helps prevent overgrazing and soil erosion

traditional intensive farming

maximizing the output from a small plot of land; can lead to desertification

industrialized farming

large-scale production of crops and livestock ; maximize yield through mechanization, artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified food; contributions to climate change, environmental pollution from waste and chemical runoff, and potential negative health impacts