Agriculture

Define monoculture

Growing one type of crop over a large area. Ex: giant field of only corn.

Define polyculture

Growing multiple crops together for biodiversity.

Define and give examples of fertilizers

Nutrients added to soil to help plants grow. Ex: natural: Manure, compost. synthetic: NPK, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium.

Define and give examples of pesticides.

Chemicals used to kill pests that harm crops. Ex: Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides

Explain what the green revolution is.

A farming boom using high-yield crops, fertilizers, and pesticides to grow more food.

Explain what tIdentify the causes of a dust bowl (other than water).

Overfarming (kills soil), Deforestation (no trees to hold soil), High winds (blow dry soil away)

Explain how water use in agriculture affects the likelihood of a dust bowl.

Overuse of water can dry out the land, Irrigation mistakes leave soil vulnerable.

Describe at least 2 solutions to prevent a dust bowl.

Crop rotation – Changing crops each season to keep soil healthy, Planting windbreaks – Trees or bushes stop wind from blowing soil away.

Describe a CAFO

A factory farm where animals are kept in crowded conditions to produce meat quickly.

Describe regenerative ranching

Raising livestock in a way that restores soil and helps the environment.

Explain the pros and cons of aquaculture and wild-caught fishing

Aquaculture Pros: More fish, reliable supply/ Cons: Pollution, disease spread

Wild-caught fishing Pros: Natural, no pollution from farms/ Cons: Overfishing, bycatch (unwanted fish caught)