AP Human Geography Unit 5

Agriculture

the process by which humans alter the landscape in order to raise crops and livestock for consumption and trade

Climate

the long-term weather patterns in a region

Subsistence Agriculture

the primary goal is to grow enough food or raise enough livestock to meet the immediate needs of the farmer and his/her family

Commercial Agriculture

the primary goal of the commercial farmer is to grow enough crops or raise enough livestock to sell for profit

Intensive Agriculture

practices in which farmers or ranchers use large amounts of inputs, such as energy, fertilizers, labor, or machines, to maximize yield

Extensive Agriculture

practices in which farmers or ranchers use fewer amounts of the inputs and typically result in less yields

Capital

the money invested in land, equipment, and machines

Pastoral Nomadism

Climate: Drylands, Arid, Semi-Arid

Location: SW, C, + E Asia, N Africa

Type: Subsistent Extensive

a type of subsistence agriculture where people herd domesticated animals (like sheep, goats, camels) and constantly move their settlements to find fresh pastures and water for the herds

Shifting Cultivation

Climate: Tropical

Location: Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, SE Asia

Type: Subsistent Extensive

a subsistence farming method where farmers clear a patch of forest by cutting vegetation and burning it, using the nutrient-rich ash to grow crops for a few years until the soil is depleted, then abandoning the plot to let it naturally regenerate while they move to a new area

Plantation Agriculture

Climate: Tropical, Subtropical

Location: Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, S+SE Asia

Type: Commercial Intensive

large-scale commercial farming, typically in tropical regions, focused on growing one major cash crop (like sugar, coffee, or cotton) for export, often relying on intensive labor, monoculture, and significant capital investment, originating in colonial times for profit

Mixed Crop and Livestock Farming

Climate: Cold + Warm Mid-Latitude

Location: Midwestern US + Canada, Central Europe

Type: Commercial Extensive + Intensive

an agricultural system where farmers grow crops and raise animals on the same farm, creating a symbiotic cycle where crop byproducts feed animals (like corn for cattle), and animal manure fertilizes the crops, boosting sustainability and efficiency

Grain Farming

Climate: Cold Mid-Latitude

Location: N Central US, S Central Canada, Eastern Europe

Type: Commercial/Subsistence Extensive

large-scale, mechanized agriculture in developed nations (MDCs) focused on growing cereal crops like wheat, corn, and rice for profit, using heavy machinery and technology, often for export rather than just local consumption

Commercial Gardening

Climate: Warm Mid-Latitude

Location: SE US, SE Australia

Type: Commercial Intensive

growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers on a large scale specifically to sell for profit in markets

Dairy Farming

Climate: Cold + Warm Mid-Latitude

Location: NE US, SE Canada, NW Europe

Type: Commercial Intensive

an intensive agricultural practice focused on raising animals (mostly cows, but also goats, sheep) for milk, processed into products like cheese, butter, and yogurt, often located near cities (milksheds) due to perishability, using intensive inputs like labor and capital, and involving specialized technology

Mediterranean Agriculture

Climate: Warm Mid-Latitude

Location: S Coast of Europe, N Coast of Africa, Pacific Coast of US, S tip of Africa, Chile

Type: Commercial Extensive + Intensive

a specialized farming system in dry-summer climates (hot, dry summers; mild, wet winters) focusing on high-value crops like olives, grapes, citrus, and vegetables, using sustainable methods like terracing to adapt to the climate, and found around the Mediterranean, California, Chile, etc

Livestock Ranching

Climate: Drylands, Arid, Semi-Arid

Location: W North America, SE South America, C Asia, S Africa

Type: Commercial Extensive

extensive, commercial agriculture raising animals (cattle, sheep, etc.) for products like meat, wool, or milk, using vast lands, often in dry climates unsuitable for crops

Plantation

a large commercial farm that specializes in one crop

Market Gardening

when fruits and vegetables are grown near an urban market and sold to local suppliers, stores, and restaurants

Milk Shed

the geographic distance that milk is delivered