Agriculture
What type of farming uses machines, fertilizers, and pesticides?
Industrial agriculture
What is the process of supplying water to crops?
Irrigation
What is the spreading of cities into rural areas called?
Urban sprawl
What is the loss of topsoil called?
Soil erosion
What farming method reduces soil disturbance?
Conservation tillage
What is growing only one crop over a large area called?
Monocropping
Which irrigation method wastes the most water?
Flood irrigation
What are surfaces like concrete and asphalt called?
Impervious surfaces
What is land becoming dry and unproductive called?
Desertification
What irrigation method conserves the most water?
Drip irrigation
What type of farming is used to feed a family rather than sell crops?
Subsistence farming
Which irrigation method is the most efficient?
Drip irrigation
What environmental problem do impervious surfaces cause?
Runoff / flooding
What causes water pollution from farms?
Runoff (fertilizers/pesticides)
What is planning cities to reduce sprawl called?
Smart growth
What environmental problem occurs when soil loses nutrients from repeated monocropping?
Soil degradation / nutrient depletion
What happens when groundwater is used faster than it is replaced?
Aquifer depletion
Why are cities hotter than the surrounding rural areas?
Heat island effect
Fertilizer runoff causes algae growth and oxygen loss in water. What is this called?
Eutrophication
What is using resources without harming future generations called?
Sustainability
A farmer rotates crops each season to improve soil and reduce pests. What is this called AND why is it beneficial?
Crop rotation + improves soil fertility & reduces pests
What major U.S. aquifer is being depleted due to overuse AND why is this a problem?
Ogallala Aquifer + unsustainable water supply
A city replaces grass with pavement, increasing flooding. What caused this AND why?
Impervious surfaces + water cannot infiltrate soil
What is one major consequence of eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems?
Dead zones / low oxygen
A city adds plants to rooftops to reduce heat and absorb water. What is this called?
Green roofs