U5_+Student+Notes copy

5.1 Introduction to Agriculture

• Connection Between Physical Geography and Agricultural Practices:

  • Agriculture is influenced by several factors such as climate, space, soil, and water availability.

Factors Impacting Agriculture:

1. Physical Environment:

   • Climate:

     • Different bioclimatic zones determine agricultural output.

     • Example: Amount of precipitation affects crop growth.

   • Space/Landforms:

     • Assess whether land is arable (suitable for farming) or non-arable.

     • Examples include mountains, deserts, and plains.

   • Soil/Nutrients:

     • Presence and availability of nutrients naturally occurring in the soil.

     • Methods to enrich soil: fertilizers, slash and burn agriculture.

   • Water/Precipitation:

     • Necessary for irrigation and to maintain soil fertility.

2. **Climate Zones: **

   • Tropical & Subtropical:

     • High temps, abundant rainfall.

   • Drylands/Desert:

     • High temps, limited rain.

   • Temperate Regions:

     • Moderate temperatures and seasonal changes.

Types of Agriculture:

• Shifting cultivation

• Plantation agriculture

• Pastoral nomadism

• Livestock ranching

• Mixed crop and livestock

• Commercial grain farming

• Market gardening

• Mediterranean agriculture

Environmental Possibilism:

• Human innovation can overcome environmental limitations. Examples:

  • Climate: Greenhouses for temperature control.

  • Space/Landforms: Terrace farming.

  • Soil/Nutrients: Using fertilizers to manage nutrient levels.

5.2 Settlement Patterns & Survey Methods

Rural Survey Methods:

• Used to define land ownership.

  • Metes & Bounds: Originated from Britain, uses landmarks to define boundaries; results in irregular plots.

  • Long Lot: Introduced by France/Spain; long strips start at a river, ensuring resource access.

  • Township & Range: Developed by Thomas Jefferson; utilizes a grid system to track land sales.

Rural Settlement Patterns:

1. Clustered Settlements:

   • Homes close together, sharing resources.

   • Example: Metes and Bounds survey method.

2. Dispersed Settlements:

   • Isolated homes, reflects individual land ownership.

   • Example: Township and Range method.

3. Linear Settlements:

   • Aligned along a physical feature (e.g., rivers).

The Point - The Why of Where:

• Impact on cultural landscape and sequent occupancy.

5.3 Agricultural Origins and Diffusion

Agricultural Hearths:

• Definition: Geographic origin of domesticated crops and animals.

Major Centers of Domestication:

1. Central America

2. Andean Highlands

3. West Africa

4. East Africa/Nile Valley

5. Fertile Crescent

6. Wei-Huang River Valley l

7. Southeast Asia

Characteristics of Agricultural Hearths:

• Common features: Fertile soil, water availability, moderate climate.

Types of Diffusion:

1. Contagious Diffusion: Close contact spreads agriculture from hearths.

2. Immigration & Migration: As people move, they take agricultural knowledge with them.

3. Trade Routes: Movement of plants and animals via trade networks (e.g., Silk Road).

4. Colombian Exchange: Exchange of goods between the Old World and New World.

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