AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Sustainable Agriculture

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Sustainable Agriculture, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What does organic farming avoid?

Answer: Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Relies on natural processes instead of artificial chemicals.

Flashcard 2: What does organic farming avoid?

Answer: Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Relies on natural processes instead of artificial chemicals.

Flashcard 3: Which practice involves maintaining natural vegetation strips?

Answer: Buffer zones. Natural areas protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat.

Flashcard 4: Identify one key principle of sustainable agriculture.

Answer: Conservation of resources. Protects natural resources like soil, water, and biodiversity for future use.

Flashcard 5: Identify one way to enhance pollinator services in agriculture.

Answer: Planting flower strips. Provides nectar and pollen sources for bees and other pollinators.

Flashcard 6: What is a key characteristic of resilient agricultural systems?

Answer: Ability to withstand and recover from disturbances. Systems maintain function despite environmental stresses or shocks.

Flashcard 7: Identify one advantage of using renewable energy on farms.

Answer: Reduces carbon footprint. Solar and wind power decrease fossil fuel dependence.

Flashcard 8: What is the significance of biodiversity in sustainable agriculture?

Answer: Promotes ecosystem stability and resilience. Diverse species create natural pest control and soil health.

Flashcard 9: Identify one benefit of reduced tillage farming.

Answer: Preserves soil structure. Minimal soil disturbance maintains beneficial microorganisms.

Flashcard 10: Which process involves analyzing soil health?

Answer: Soil testing. Determines nutrient needs and contamination levels in soil.

Flashcard 11: What is an ecological footprint in agriculture?

Answer: Measure of the environmental impact of farming activities. Quantifies resource consumption and environmental damage from farming.

Flashcard 12: Identify a benefit of using biopesticides.

Answer: Reduced chemical residue. Living organisms break down naturally, leaving fewer toxic substances.

Flashcard 13: What is the role of nitrogen-fixing plants in sustainable agriculture?

Answer: They naturally enrich soil with nitrogen. Legumes convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms.

Flashcard 14: Which practice involves alternating rows of different crops?

Answer: Strip cropping. Alternating strips reduce erosion and improve pest management.

Flashcard 15: What is the role of earthworms in sustainable agriculture?

Answer: They aerate the soil and enhance nutrient cycling. Their movement creates channels that improve soil drainage and fertility.

Flashcard 16: Which nutrient is commonly added to soils using green manures?

Answer: Nitrogen. Decomposing plant matter releases nitrogen for crop uptake.

Flashcard 17: What is contour plowing?

Answer: Plowing along the contours of the land to reduce erosion. Follows natural slope patterns to prevent water from washing away soil.

Flashcard 18: What is crop rotation?

Answer: The practice of alternating the crops grown on a piece of land. Prevents soil depletion and breaks pest cycles by varying crops.

Flashcard 19: What is the main goal of sustainable agriculture?

Answer: To maintain productivity while conserving resources. Ensures food security while protecting environmental resources long-term.

Flashcard 20: Identify one method used in integrated pest management.

Answer: Biological control. Uses natural predators or parasites to control harmful pests.

Flashcard 21: What is the purpose of rotational grazing?

Answer: To prevent overgrazing and promote pasture health. Moving animals prevents grass damage and allows regrowth.

Flashcard 22: What is agroforestry?

Answer: Integrating trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems. Trees provide shade, windbreaks, and additional income sources.

Flashcard 23: What is the role of hedgerows in sustainable farming?

Answer: Provide habitat and reduce wind erosion. Linear vegetation creates wildlife corridors and windbreaks.

Flashcard 24: What is permaculture?

Answer: A design system for sustainable living and agriculture. Works with natural patterns to create self-sustaining ecosystems.

Flashcard 25: Identify one advantage of using renewable energy on farms.

Answer: Reduces carbon footprint. Solar and wind power decrease fossil fuel dependence.

Flashcard 26: Name one negative impact of conventional agriculture.

Answer: Soil degradation. Intensive practices deplete soil nutrients and reduce fertility.

Flashcard 27: What is sustainable agriculture?

Answer: Farming that meets current needs without compromising future generations. Balances current food production with long-term environmental health.

Flashcard 28: Identify one advantage of polyculture.

Answer: Increased biodiversity. Multiple crops reduce pest risks and improve ecosystem stability.

Flashcard 29: Which practice helps improve water retention in soils?

Answer: Mulching. Organic cover reduces evaporation and maintains soil moisture.

Flashcard 30: What is the role of earthworms in sustainable agriculture?

Answer: They aerate the soil and enhance nutrient cycling. Their movement creates channels that improve soil drainage and fertility.

Flashcard 31: What is agroforestry?

Answer: Integrating trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems. Trees provide shade, windbreaks, and additional income sources.

Flashcard 32: Identify one key principle of sustainable agriculture.

Answer: Conservation of resources. Protects natural resources like soil, water, and biodiversity for future use.

Flashcard 33: What is the significance of biodiversity in sustainable agriculture?

Answer: Promotes ecosystem stability and resilience. Diverse species create natural pest control and soil health.

Flashcard 34: Identify a key component of precision agriculture.

Answer: Use of GPS technology. Precise positioning enables targeted application of inputs.

Flashcard 35: Which process involves analyzing soil health?

Answer: Soil testing. Determines nutrient needs and contamination levels in soil.

Flashcard 36: Which practice involves alternating rows of different crops?

Answer: Strip cropping. Alternating strips reduce erosion and improve pest management.

Flashcard 37: Name a benefit of cover cropping.

Answer: Reduces soil erosion. Cover crops protect and stabilize soil when main crops aren't growing.

Flashcard 38: Which practice helps prevent soil erosion in agriculture?

Answer: Contour plowing. Follows natural land contours to reduce water runoff and soil loss.

Flashcard 39: What is a key feature of sustainable fisheries?

Answer: Maintaining fish populations at healthy levels. Harvest rates stay within the species' natural reproduction capacity.

Flashcard 40: What is a key characteristic of resilient agricultural systems?

Answer: Ability to withstand and recover from disturbances. Systems maintain function despite environmental stresses or shocks.

Flashcard 41: What is a major benefit of drip irrigation?

Answer: Efficient water use. Delivers water directly to roots, minimizing waste and evaporation.

Flashcard 42: What is the purpose of terracing in agriculture?

Answer: To reduce water runoff and soil erosion. Step-like levels slow water flow on slopes.

Flashcard 43: What is a major challenge facing sustainable agriculture?

Answer: Balancing productivity with environmental impact. Must feed growing populations while protecting natural resources.

Flashcard 44: Identify one impact of monoculture on agriculture.

Answer: Increased susceptibility to pests. Single crops lack genetic diversity to resist diseases and pests.

Flashcard 45: What is an ecological footprint in agriculture?

Answer: Measure of the environmental impact of farming activities. Quantifies resource consumption and environmental damage from farming.

Flashcard 46: What is the primary goal of organic agriculture?

Answer: To produce food in harmony with natural systems. Mimics natural ecosystems without synthetic chemical inputs.

Flashcard 47: What does soil salinization result from?

Answer: Excessive irrigation and poor drainage. Water accumulates salts when it cannot drain properly.

Flashcard 48: What is integrated pest management (IPM)?

Answer: A pest control strategy using a combination of methods. Combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods to minimize pesticide use.

Flashcard 49: Which practice involves reducing synthetic inputs?

Answer: Organic farming. Eliminates artificial chemicals in favor of natural processes.

Flashcard 50: Which nutrient is commonly added to soils using green manures?

Answer: Nitrogen. Decomposing plant matter releases nitrogen for crop uptake.

Flashcard 51: Which farming practice increases soil fertility naturally?

Answer: Composting. Decomposed organic matter adds nutrients and improves soil structure.