HGAP 5.10 - 5.12

Land cover change

study of how land is used and the impact of changing land use

Desertification

alteration of the natural vegetation in arid areas causing fertile land to become infertile

Salinization

occurs when salts from water used by plants remain in the soil

Conservation

counter the damaging effects of destroying the natural landscape, and the various flora and fauna that inhabit it, through the expansion and development of farmland

Terrace Farming

in which farmers build a series of steps into the side of a hill

Irrigation

process of applying controlled amounts of water to crops using dams, canals, pipes, sprinkler systems, or other manufactured devices rather than relying on just rainfall

Arial Sea - Problems with irrigation

Once the fourth largest lake in the world, was reduced to 10% of its former size by 1997, the project was poorly done and much of the water went to waste

Deforestation

removal of large tracts of forests

Slash-N-Burn Agriculture

an early agricultural practice and type of shifting cultivation, takes place when all vegetation in an area of forest is cut down and burned in place

Changing Diets

As the citizens of semi-periphery countries enjoy improved standards of living, they seek a more western-style diet involving meat, dairy products, and processed and convenience foods. The demand for and the use of these products can lead to significant problems

Roles of women in agriculture

Traditionally, women helped men in the fields and in processing and storing the harvest. Also, women performed the task of selecting the best seeds to plant the following year.

Challenges of GMOs

GMO seeds are too expensive for poor farmers to use, in part because they are often sterile, so new seeds must be purchased each year.

GMO seeds that are resistant to pests and herbicides might lead to the development of superpests or superweeds

GMOs might have potential long-term risks to consumers, such as organ problems or reduced immunity to diseases, that have yet to be identified and studied

Blue Revolution

the practice of aquaculture becoming the fastest growing form of food production on the planet and responsible for approximately 50% of the world’s seafood

Challenges to aquaculture

High fish density in enclosures means diseases and parasites thrive and spread easily.

Parasites and diseases can easily spread from fish in the enclosures to the nearby wild stock.

Chemicals and antibiotics used to counter parasites and diseases can damage the ecosystem around the enclosures

Fish can escape pens and may breed or compete with native stocks of fish

Excess feed and the concentration of fish waste can produce dangerously high levels of organic matter in local bodies of water

Environmental Challenges

Modern agriculture has dramatically modified the natural landscape. Some of these changes constitute significant environmental damage. Much of the environmental impact of farming comes from the use of chemicals and fossil fuels which then result in air and water pollution.

Overgrazing

if the density of animals is greater than even expansive grasslands can support then it will damage the grasslands to the extent that the vegetation will not refresh itself even after the animals leave

Organic Foods

non-GMO crops produced without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, nd use sustainable growing practices

Value-added crops

crops that are for which consumers are willing to pay more because of special qualities or because they are difficult to acquire

Value-added farming

occurs when farmers process their crops into high-value products, rather than simply selling it as it comes from the field

Local-food movement

seeking out food produced nearby

Urban Farming

refers to the production of farm goods within an urban area with the goal of providing locally grown food

Community Gardens

type of urban farming which shares agricultural products with family, friends, and perhaps those in need rather than as a business

Vertical Farms

grow crops inside stackable trays, using greenhouses, artificial lights, and hydroponics

Hydroponics

allows crops to grow without soil using mineral-enriched solutions

Community-Sponsored Agriculture

brings producers and consumers into a type of partnership. Consumers buy a share, or subscribe to a certain quantity of crops for a season

Food Insecurity

when households lack access to adequate food because of limited money or other resources

Food Desert

a neighborhood where residents have little to no access to healthy and affordable food

Food Distribution System

a network of trade and transportation that get food from farms to consumers

Food Processing

the transformation of agricultural products into food or taking food items and transforming them into a different type of food

Tariff

tax on imports

Quota

limit the quantity of a good imported

Gender Roles

in most cultures throughout history, males have worked in the fields and women have prepared the food. Today, women make up about 40% of the world’s agricultural labor force

Gender Inequality

the unequal opportunities, treatment, or rights of a person based on gender

Gender-specific obstacles

discriminatory practices that prevent female farmers from reaching their potential productivity

Crop Gap

crop difference of 20-30% between male and female-run farms

Agritourism

tourists visit farms for recreational reasons

Farming Pollution

pollution is often associated with industrial processes, but farming also contributes to air, water, and soil pollution