All Flashcards
What is the role of climate in agriculture?
Climate determines what crops can grow (e.g., hot & dry = cotton, cold & wet = potatoes).
How does soil affect agriculture?
Soil fertility and type affect crop yields.
How does topography affect agriculture?
Flat land is easier for farming than mountains.
Why is water availability crucial for agriculture?
Water availability for irrigation is crucial for crop growth, especially in dry regions.
Explain the concept of mixed crop/livestock systems.
Crops and livestock are integrated on the same land for sustainability. Animals provide manure, crops provide feed.
What is the goal of intensive farming?
High production, low cost.
What is the goal of extensive farming?
Production with minimal inputs.
What are the risks of monoculture?
Increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.
What is the relationship between physical geography and agriculture?
Physical geography sets the potential for agriculture, while agricultural practices are the human response.
How does nomadic herding exemplify extensive farming?
It uses large areas of land with minimal inputs, moving livestock to find natural pasture.
What are the potential negative impacts of intensive farming?
Negative environmental impacts such as water pollution and soil degradation.
Why is plantation agriculture often associated with former colonial regions?
Because it was established to produce export crops for the colonizing powers.
Compare Intensive and Extensive Farming regarding input levels.
Intensive farming uses high levels of inputs, while extensive farming uses low levels of inputs.
Compare Intensive and Extensive Farming regarding land use.
Intensive farming uses small land areas, while extensive farming uses large land areas.
Compare Monoculture and Mixed Crop/Livestock Systems regarding sustainability.
Monoculture is less sustainable due to pest vulnerability, while mixed systems are more sustainable.
Compare Nomadic Herding and Ranching regarding mobility.
Nomadic herding involves moving livestock, while ranching involves raising livestock in a fixed location.
Compare Plantation Agriculture and Small Family Farms regarding scale.
Plantation agriculture is large-scale, while small family farms are small-scale.
Compare the environmental impacts of intensive and extensive farming.
Intensive farming can cause water pollution and soil degradation, while extensive farming can lead to deforestation and soil erosion.
Compare the economic goals of intensive and extensive farming.
Intensive farming aims for high production and low cost, while extensive farming aims for production with minimal inputs.
Compare the reliance on natural resources in intensive and extensive farming.
Intensive farming relies heavily on artificial inputs, while extensive farming relies more on natural resources.
Compare the vulnerability to climate change in intensive and extensive farming.
Intensive farming may be more resilient due to irrigation, while extensive farming is more vulnerable to rainfall variability.
Compare the labor requirements of intensive and extensive farming.
Intensive farming often requires more labor per unit area, while extensive farming requires less.
Compare the crop diversity in monoculture and mixed crop/livestock systems.
Monoculture involves growing a single crop, while mixed systems involve growing multiple crops and raising livestock.
Compare the use of technology in intensive and extensive farming.
Intensive farming often employs advanced technology, while extensive farming relies on traditional methods.
What is the effect of climate on crop selection?
Climate determines which crops can be grown in a region. Hot and dry climates are suitable for cotton, while cold and wet climates are suitable for potatoes.
What is the effect of irrigation on agriculture?
Irrigation allows for crop production in dry regions by artificially supplying water to crops.
What are the effects of chemical fertilizers on agriculture?
Chemical fertilizers enhance soil fertility and boost crop yields but can also lead to water pollution.
What are the effects of pesticides on agriculture?
Pesticides control pests and increase crop yields but can harm non-target species and the environment.
What is the effect of monoculture on pest vulnerability?
Growing a single crop over a large area increases the risk of pest and disease outbreaks.
What is the effect of factory farming on animal welfare?
Confining large numbers of animals in small spaces raises concerns about animal welfare.
What is the effect of plantation agriculture on local communities?
Plantation agriculture can have negative impacts on the environment and local communities.
What is the effect of nomadic herding on land use?
Nomadic herding requires large areas of land to provide pasture for livestock.
What is the effect of shifting cultivation on deforestation?
Clearing land for shifting cultivation can lead to deforestation.
What is the effect of intensive farming on water pollution?
The high use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in intensive farming can lead to water pollution.
What is the effect of extensive farming on biodiversity?
Extensive farming practices like ranching can lead to habitat loss and reduced biodiversity.
What are the economic effects of intensive farming?
High yields and low costs, but can require significant capital investment.