Agriculture Basics
Agriculture Climates
Settlement and Models
Modern Agriculture
Agriculture Consequences
100
What does the term “land-use” mean?
How land is used in any given area.
100
The two bio-climatic zones see the most plant life and diversity.
Tropical and subtropical
100
Identify and explain three different rural settlement patterns.
LINEAR settlement patterns occur when settlements are formed in a straight line along a transportation route, such as a road or river.
CLUSTERED settlement patterns are where settlements are clustered in a small geographic area.
DISPERSED settlement patterns are where settlements are spread out in a large geographic area.
100
Define extensive agriculture.
Extensive agriculture is typically done in areas with less-than-favorable climates. It uses less labor and technology but yields fewer crops.
100
Define the term “CAFO”
CAFO stands for Centralized Animal Feeding Operation
200
Define the term “inhospitable land”
Land where food cannot be grown and humans cannot live.
200
Describe the environment of Mediterranean climatic zones.
Mediterranean climate zones are known for mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, which allow for crop growth throughout the year.
200
As industrial agriculture has increased, what has happened to small family farms? Why?
As industrial agriculture has increased, the number of small family farms has drastically decreased. This is because many farms have become parts of agribusiness, utilizing commercial farming to make money. Large companies are able to buy several smaller farms and maximize their profits.
200
Give 1 example of intensive agriculture
Examples include monocropping, plantation farming, and market gardening.
200
Explain why CAFO has risen in popularity over the past 50 years.
Over the past several years, it has grown in popularity as commercial and intensive farming has increased. This is because CAFOs allow for more livestock to be raised in a small area, increasing profits.
300
What is the term for land that humans have developed for the production of food?
Agricultural Land
300
Identify the four elements that make land favorable for crops.
Climate, topography, elevation, soil
300
Analyze the impact of the Neolithic, Second Agricultural, and Green Revolution on the development of modern society.
Neolithic - Nomadic to Agrarian Society
Second Agricultural Revolution - Increased use of technology and commercial farming
Green Revolution - Introduced science to agriculture, including GMO’s, Pesticides, and fertilizers.
300
Define intensive agriculture.
Intensive agriculture relies on high labor/technology resources to produce high yield crops.
300
Explain the economic consequences of modern agriculture.
There are two main economic consequences of modern agriculture. The first is that many countries have become single crop economies, relying on the sale of only one crop to fuel their economy. The second is that food has become a commodity, causing agribusinesses to use highly intensive methods to try to make a profit.
400
What fraction of Earth’s land mass can be considered arable land?
1/32
400
The difference between weather and climate.
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, including temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation, and cloud cover.
Climate is the average weather conditions of a particular place over 30 years.
400
Describe the process of the Von Thünen Model and give an example of the model during the 19th century.
The Von Thünen Model states that the type of farming that is done in a given area is based on proximity to the Central Business District of its target market. This is based on the idea of perishability and transport costs. For example, in the 19th century Chicago was a major rail hub. In surrounding states such as Iowa and Wisconsin, perishable goods such as corn and dairy products were produced and shipped to market. Farther out in states such as Kansas, wheat was produced and shipped to Chicago for processing, as it does not have the same perishability as other crops. On the outer ring of Chicago’s market were the cattle ranches in Texas and Oklahoma, who drove their cattle to the railroads to be shipped to Chicago for processing and sale.
400
Give 1 example of extensive agriculture
Examples include, shifting cultivation, slash-and-burn, and nomadic herding.
400
Explain the challenges that Ghana is facing due to British Imperialism.
Due to British Imperialism, many resources that Ghana had were exported to Britain. Even after independence, Ghana still faces British neocolonialism because the British are one of their main trade partners. Ghana has become reliant on exporting cocoa to the British, making up 20% of their exports. This means that Ghana is a single crop economy, presenting them with an economic challenge.
500
Define arable land
Land that can be used for agriculture.
500
Using the image, describe the current distribution of croplands globally and the correlation between cropland and population.
Globally, the highest concentration of cropland is in the United States, India and China. These three countries also have the highest population.
500
What are the three different survey methods that influence rural land use and which settlement pattern they are most closely related to.
Metes and Bounds is the oldest survey method. It uses geographic features and straight lines to create pieces of property. It is typically connected to clustered settlement patterns.
Long-lot survey methods divide road or riverfront property into narrow parcels that share frontage with the transportation avenue. They are most closely related to linear settlement patterns.
Township and Range survey methods use latitude and longitude to create a 6x6 mile grid that is divided into private property lines. This is most typically associated with dispersed settlements.
500
Explain the process of Vertical Integration.
Vertical Integration is the process in which a company owns all means of production. For example, McDonalds owns cattle farms, slaughter houses, transportation networks, distribution centers, and restaurants.
500
Explain the environmental consequences of modern agriculture.
There are several environmental consequences of modern agriculture. The first consequence is deforestation, which has happened around the globe at a major scale to try to provide more arable land. The second consequence is climate change, which can be impacted by the pollutants that intensive farming methods such as CAFOs produce. The third, and more positive, consequence is reforestation, which some companies are doing to combat deforestation.