Chapter 14: Consequences of Agricultural Practices

Agricultural Landscapes

Landscapes resulting from the interactions between farming activities and a location’s natural environment.

Shifting Cultivation

A form of subsistence agriculture that involves farming a piece of land until the soil becomes infertile, then leaving it or using it for a different purpose.

Soil Degradation

The decline in soil quality and productivity due to factors such as inadequate fallow periods in shifting cultivation.

Agroecosystem

An ecosystem that is modified for agricultural use.

Slash and Burn Farming

A type of shifting agriculture that often alters landscapes permanently, associated with deforestation and soil erosion.

Deforestation

The loss of forest lands caused by practices such as slash and burn agriculture.

Soil Erosion

The wearing away of topsoil by wind, rain, and other phenomena.

Terracing

The process of carving parts of a hill or mountainside into small, level growing plots for farming.

Irrigation

The artificial application of water to soil for the purpose of crop production.

Reservoirs

Artificial lakes created by building dams across streams and rivers, used for irrigation.

Aquifers

Layers of permeable rock or sediment that store and transmit groundwater, acting as underground reservoirs.

Desertification

A form of land degradation where soil deteriorates to a desert-like condition, often due to poor agricultural practices.

Food Security

Reliable access to safe, nutritious food that supports a healthy and active lifestyle.

Food Insecurity

The disruption of a household’s food intake or eating patterns due to poor access to food.

Food Deserts

Areas where residents lack access to healthy, nutritious foods because stores selling these foods are too far away.

Economy of Scale

The reduced cost of producing food items as the quantity of production increases.

Biotechnology

The science of altering living organisms to create new products, often through genetic manipulation.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Living organisms whose genetic code has been manipulated to produce specific desirable traits.

Agricultural Biodiversity

The variety and variability of plants, animals, and microorganisms used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture.

Sustainability

Practices designed to minimize environmental impact and ensure productivity over the long term.

Commercial Farming

Farming that occurs on a large scale, often controlled by agribusiness corporations.

Subsistence Farming

Agriculture focused on producing enough food for the farmer and their family, with little surplus.

Pastoral Nomadism

A form of subsistence agriculture where herders move their animals seasonally to allow grazing.

Land Cover Change

How the surface of the land is altered by different land uses, often due to agriculture.

Soil Salinization

The process by which water-soluble salts build up in the soil, often due to irrigation practices.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

A system where consumers purchase shares in the output of a local farm.

Organic Farming

Agricultural practices that use natural fertilizers and pest control to enhance sustainability.

Value-Added Crops

Specialty crops that are transformed into a more valuable state, like milk into cheese.

Food Choice Movements

Initiatives aimed at promoting healthful eating and sustainable farming practices.

Local Food Movements

Efforts to acquire fresh foods locally, often through urban farming initiatives.

Aquaculture

The farming of fish and seafood, which offers a constant supply but may have environmental consequences.

Hunger and Conflict

The impact of war on food access and security, which can exacerbate hunger.

Government Subsidies

Financial benefits given by the government to farmers to support certain crops.

Gender Discrimination in Agriculture

Obstacles that women face in agriculture, often due to lack of land rights and social norms.

Empowering Women in Agriculture

Improving women's access to resources, training, and support to enhance productivity and food security.

Urbanization

The shift of population from rural areas to cities, which can reduce available agricultural land.

Environmental Impact of Agriculture

The negative effects of agricultural practices on ecosystems, including pollution and species loss.

Chemical Run-off

The contamination of water bodies from pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture.

Dietary Shifts

Changes in consumer diets often influenced by agricultural production and innovations.

Sustainable Practices

Methods in agriculture designed to meet current food needs without compromising future resources.

Education and Training for Farmers

Providing knowledge and skills to farmers to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.