Consequences of Agricultural Practices - AP Human Geography
- Identify a consequence of antibiotic use in livestock.
- Antibiotic resistance. Overuse creates bacteria that survive antibiotic treatments.
- What is the impact of monoculture on soil health?
- Nutrient depletion. Growing single crops repeatedly exhausts specific soil nutrients.
- Identify an effect of excessive fertilizer use in agriculture.
- Eutrophication. Excess nutrients cause algae blooms that deplete water oxygen.
- Which term describes the conversion of farmland into urban areas?
- Urban sprawl. Development expands outward from cities, consuming agricultural land.
- What is the effect of agriculture on freshwater ecosystems?
- Habitat disruption. Farming near waterways destroys aquatic habitats and breeding grounds.
- Which agricultural practice contributes to greenhouse gas emissions?
- Livestock farming. Cattle and other animals produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
- How does crop rotation benefit agricultural land?
- Improves soil fertility. Alternating crops restores nutrients and breaks pest cycles.
- Which practice can reduce agricultural runoff?
- Buffer strips. Vegetation along waterways filters out chemicals before they reach streams.
- What is a potential social impact of agricultural innovation?
- Increased inequality. New technologies often benefit large farms more than small operations.
- Identify an economic impact of food crop failure.
- Price inflation. Crop failures reduce supply, driving up food prices globally.
- What is a potential consequence of genetic modification in crops?
- Gene transfer to wild species. Modified genes can spread to related wild plants through pollination.
- Identify one health impact of pesticide exposure.
- Respiratory problems. Chemical exposure can cause lung damage and breathing difficulties.
- What is the impact of agriculture on carbon sequestration?
- Reduction in carbon storage. Converting natural areas eliminates plants that absorb atmospheric carbon.
- Identify one economic effect of agricultural subsidies.
- Market distortion. Government payments artificially alter crop prices and production decisions.
- What impact does agriculture have on water quality?
- Nutrient pollution. Fertilizers and pesticides run off into streams and groundwater.
- Which practice can decrease the carbon footprint of a farm?
- No-till farming. Avoiding soil disturbance keeps carbon stored in the ground.
- What is a major environmental consequence of rice paddies?
- Methane emissions. Flooded rice fields create conditions for methane-producing bacteria.
- What is one effect of agricultural land degradation?
- Reduced agricultural productivity. Poor soil quality reduces crop yields and farm profitability.
- Identify a consequence of agricultural intensification.
- Increased pesticide use. Higher production demands require more chemical inputs and treatments.
- What is the effect of pesticide use on non-target species?
- Biodiversity loss. Chemicals intended for pests also harm beneficial insects and wildlife.
- Which practice can reduce pest problems without chemicals?
- Integrated pest management. Combines biological controls with targeted chemical use when needed.
- What is the primary consequence of slash-and-burn agriculture?
- Deforestation. Burning vegetation clears land but destroys forest ecosystems.
- What is the consequence of declining pollinator populations in agriculture?
- Reduced crop yields. Fewer bees and insects means less pollination for fruit and seed crops.
- What is a consequence of agricultural land conversion for housing?
- Loss of arable land. Development permanently removes productive farmland from food production.
- Identify a consequence of overgrazing in agricultural areas.
- Soil erosion. Too many animals remove vegetation, exposing soil to wind and water.
- Which agricultural practice can lead to soil salinization?
- Irrigation. Water evaporation leaves salt deposits that harm plant growth.
- What is one impact of agriculture on local water availability?
- Decreased water table. Intensive irrigation and pumping lowers groundwater levels.
- What is a major social consequence of industrial agriculture?
- Rural depopulation. Mechanization reduces need for farm workers, driving migration to cities.
- Which practice can improve water retention in agricultural soil?
- Mulching. Organic cover reduces evaporation and protects soil moisture.
- What is the main environmental impact of deforestation for agriculture?
- Loss of biodiversity. Clearing forests removes habitats and reduces species variety.
- Identify an impact of climate change on agriculture.
- Altered growing seasons. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall affect crop timing.
- Which agricultural practice is most likely to cause desertification?
- Overcultivation. Intensive farming on marginal land degrades soil until unusable.
- Identify a social impact of large-scale agribusiness.
- Loss of small farms. Corporate farming consolidates land, displacing family operations.
- What is a consequence of agricultural waste mismanagement?
- Water contamination. Improper disposal of manure and chemicals pollutes nearby water sources.
- What is a result of globalization in agricultural markets?
- Increased competition. International trade forces local farmers to compete with global producers.
- What is one effect of agricultural mechanization on employment?
- Job displacement. Machines replace human labor, reducing rural employment opportunities.
- What is an effect of agriculture on air quality?
- Increased particulate matter. Tilling and machinery create dust that reduces air quality.
- What is the effect of heavy machinery on agricultural soil?
- Soil compaction. Heavy equipment weight compresses soil, reducing root penetration.
- Which agricultural practice can enhance biodiversity?
- Agroforestry. Combining trees with crops creates habitat for multiple species.
- Which practice can help prevent soil erosion in agriculture?
- Contour plowing. Plowing across slopes slows water flow and reduces soil loss.