Unit 5 Vocab Human Geography

Agricultural Revolutioin

the transition from hunting and gathering to planting and sustaining

Aquaculture

use of river segments or artificial bodies of water such as ponds for the raising and harvesting of food products including fish, shellfish, and seaweed.

Bid Rent theroy

the price and demand for real estate increases as the distance from central businesses increase

Biodiversity

the variety of organisms living in a location

biotechnology

use of genetically engineered crops in agriculture and DNA manipulation in livestock in order to increase population

carrying capacity

the number of individuals of a population that can be sustained indefinitely by a given area.

climate

the composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region.

clustered

when objects are close to each other

columbian exchange

the exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world.

Commercial agriculture

competitive market where farmers freely market their goods with the goal of making a profit.

complex commodity chains

a linked system of processes that gather resources, convert them into good, package them for distribution, dispose them, and sell them.

deforestation

destruction of forest or forested areas by human or natural means.

desertification

a process where a region becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies as well as vegetation and wildfire.

fertilizer

any substance such as manure to make soil more fertile.

food deserts

areas with little or no access to healthy and affordable food

genetically modified organisms

crops whose genetic makeup has been altered to encourage positive traits and eliminate negatives.

Global Supply Chain

a system of organization, people, technology, and activities involved in making and moving a product of service from supplier to customer.

green revolution

development of higher yield and faster-growing crops through increased technology, pesticides, and feritlizers.

Indus River Valley

the region of land through which the Indus River flows

mechanized farming

relying on machines to more efficiently produce crops.

Metes and Bounds

Using physical features of local geography along with directions and distances to define and describe boundaries of land.

nomadic herding

the seasonal movement of livestock along routes to regions with avaliable grazing land and water sources.

pastoral nomadism

a way of life of people who don’t live continually in the same place but move cyclically or periodically.

plantation agriculture

production of one or more crops on large areas of land.

ranching

type of commercial farming where the livestock is allowed to roam over an established area.

shifting cultivation

practice of farming by clearing land for farming by slashing vegetation and burning debris.

soil salinization

when soil in an arid climate has been made avaliable for agricultural production using irrigation.

subsistence agriculture

production of food primarily for consumption by the farmer and their family. Mostly in LDCs.

urban farming

production, distribution, and marketing of food and other products within the geographical limits of a metropolitan area.

slash and burn agriculture

farming method where wild land is cut and any remaining vegetation is burned.