AP Environmental Science Flashcards: The Green Revolution

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Green Revolution, 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: Identify a health issue associated with the Green Revolution.

Answer: Pesticide exposure. Chemical use led to poisoning and chronic health problems.

Flashcard 2: Name a key component of the Green Revolution's agricultural package.

Answer: Chemical fertilizers. Synthetic nutrients essential for supporting high-yield crop varieties.

Flashcard 3: What is a social impact of the Green Revolution on small farmers?

Answer: Displacement due to mechanization. Machines reduced need for manual labor, affecting employment.

Flashcard 4: What is the Green Revolution?

Answer: A period of agricultural transformation with increased crop yields. Began in the 1940s-60s using improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation.

Flashcard 5: Which term describes the use of machines for farming during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Mechanization. Machines replaced manual labor, increasing efficiency and scale.

Flashcard 6: What infrastructure development accompanied the Green Revolution?

Answer: Expansion of irrigation networks. Canals, pumps, and dams built to support water-intensive agriculture.

Flashcard 7: What is a long-term environmental concern of the Green Revolution?

Answer: Water table depletion. Intensive irrigation led to groundwater overuse and aquifer depletion.

Flashcard 8: What is one limitation of the Green Revolution's agricultural practices?

Answer: Dependency on chemical inputs. Farmers became reliant on expensive external inputs for production.

Flashcard 9: Which region's agriculture was transformed by the Green Revolution's rice varieties?

Answer: Southeast Asia. IR8 rice and other varieties revolutionized food production in the region.

Flashcard 10: What environmental issue is exacerbated by the Green Revolution?

Answer: Soil degradation. Heavy chemical use damaged soil structure and fertility over time.

Flashcard 11: Which irrigation technique was popularized during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Drip irrigation. Efficient water delivery system reduced waste and increased yields.

Flashcard 12: What policy change supported the Green Revolution in Mexico?

Answer: Government investment in agriculture. Public funding supported research, infrastructure, and farmer training programs.

Flashcard 13: Which type of crop is often associated with the Green Revolution's success in Asia?

Answer: Rice. IR8 and other high-yield rice varieties transformed Asian agriculture.

Flashcard 14: What environmental issue is exacerbated by the Green Revolution?

Answer: Soil degradation. Heavy chemical use damaged soil structure and fertility over time.

Flashcard 15: What policy change supported the Green Revolution in Mexico?

Answer: Government investment in agriculture. Public funding supported research, infrastructure, and farmer training programs.

Flashcard 16: What is one criticism of the Green Revolution related to biodiversity?

Answer: Loss of crop genetic diversity. Monocultures replaced traditional diverse farming systems.

Flashcard 17: What is one criticism of the Green Revolution related to biodiversity?

Answer: Loss of crop genetic diversity. Monocultures replaced traditional diverse farming systems.

Flashcard 18: Which term describes the use of machines for farming during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Mechanization. Machines replaced manual labor, increasing efficiency and scale.

Flashcard 19: Identify one positive outcome of the Green Revolution.

Answer: Reduction in hunger. Dramatically increased food availability in developing countries.

Flashcard 20: What is a major input required for Green Revolution crops?

Answer: Water for irrigation. High-yield varieties required consistent water supply for optimal growth.

Flashcard 21: Which region was first to benefit from the Green Revolution?

Answer: Mexico. Borlaug's wheat research began in Mexico in the 1940s.

Flashcard 22: Which high-yield variety was developed for wheat?

Answer: Dwarf wheat varieties. Short-stemmed varieties that resisted lodging and produced higher yields.

Flashcard 23: Which region's agriculture was transformed by the Green Revolution's rice varieties?

Answer: Southeast Asia. IR8 rice and other varieties revolutionized food production in the region.

Flashcard 24: What was a primary focus in breeding programs during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Yield improvement. Scientists developed varieties that produced more grain per plant.

Flashcard 25: What is one limitation of the Green Revolution's agricultural practices?

Answer: Dependency on chemical inputs. Farmers became reliant on expensive external inputs for production.

Flashcard 26: What agricultural technique was emphasized during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Use of synthetic fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers provided essential nutrients for high-yield crops.

Flashcard 27: What is one technology that facilitated the Green Revolution?

Answer: High-yield variety seeds. Genetically improved seeds produced much higher yields than traditional varieties.

Flashcard 28: What type of farming became more prevalent due to the Green Revolution?

Answer: Intensive farming. High-input, high-output systems replaced traditional extensive methods.

Flashcard 29: Identify an agricultural challenge that followed the Green Revolution.

Answer: Sustainability of practices. Long-term viability questioned due to environmental and economic costs.

Flashcard 30: Which agricultural practice was reduced as a result of the Green Revolution?

Answer: Crop rotation. Focus shifted to continuous monoculture for maximum yields.

Flashcard 31: Identify a technological advancement that supported the Green Revolution.

Answer: Improved irrigation systems. Better water management enabled cultivation in previously unsuitable areas.

Flashcard 32: Which agricultural practice was reduced as a result of the Green Revolution?

Answer: Crop rotation. Focus shifted to continuous monoculture for maximum yields.

Flashcard 33: What is one adaptation made by farmers due to the Green Revolution?

Answer: Adoption of chemical pesticides. Farmers switched to chemical pest control methods for protection.

Flashcard 34: What was the primary crop involved in the Green Revolution?

Answer: Wheat. Borlaug's dwarf wheat varieties dramatically increased yields in Mexico.

Flashcard 35: Name one environmental concern associated with the Green Revolution.

Answer: Increased pesticide use. Chemicals caused water pollution, soil contamination, and health risks.

Flashcard 36: Which region was first to benefit from the Green Revolution?

Answer: Mexico. Borlaug's wheat research began in Mexico in the 1940s.

Flashcard 37: Which nutrient is primarily added to soil during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Nitrogen. Essential macronutrient for plant growth and protein synthesis.

Flashcard 38: Name an unintended consequence of the Green Revolution's emphasis on monoculture.

Answer: Increased vulnerability to pests. Genetic uniformity made crops more susceptible to disease outbreaks.

Flashcard 39: What is a long-term environmental concern of the Green Revolution?

Answer: Water table depletion. Intensive irrigation led to groundwater overuse and aquifer depletion.

Flashcard 40: What was a driving factor behind the Green Revolution?

Answer: Food security concerns. Growing populations needed increased food production to prevent famine.

Flashcard 41: What is one economic consequence of the Green Revolution?

Answer: Lower food prices. Increased supply reduced market prices for staple foods.

Flashcard 42: Which nutrient is primarily added to soil during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Nitrogen. Essential macronutrient for plant growth and protein synthesis.

Flashcard 43: State a key feature of high-yield variety seeds used in the Green Revolution.

Answer: Disease resistance. Bred to withstand common plant diseases and environmental stresses.

Flashcard 44: Which high-yield variety was developed for wheat?

Answer: Dwarf wheat varieties. Short-stemmed varieties that resisted lodging and produced higher yields.

Flashcard 45: What is a social impact of the Green Revolution on small farmers?

Answer: Displacement due to mechanization. Machines reduced need for manual labor, affecting employment.

Flashcard 46: Name a key component of the Green Revolution's agricultural package.

Answer: Chemical fertilizers. Synthetic nutrients essential for supporting high-yield crop varieties.

Flashcard 47: Who is known as the father of the Green Revolution?

Answer: Norman Borlaug. Won the Nobel Peace Prize for developing high-yield wheat varieties.

Flashcard 48: Which type of crop is often associated with the Green Revolution's success in Asia?

Answer: Rice. IR8 and other high-yield rice varieties transformed Asian agriculture.

Flashcard 49: Name an unintended consequence of the Green Revolution's emphasis on monoculture.

Answer: Increased vulnerability to pests. Genetic uniformity made crops more susceptible to disease outbreaks.

Flashcard 50: What was a primary focus in breeding programs during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Yield improvement. Scientists developed varieties that produced more grain per plant.

Flashcard 51: What is an economic benefit of the Green Revolution?

Answer: Increased agricultural exports. Surplus production allowed countries to sell crops internationally.

Flashcard 52: Identify one negative social impact of the Green Revolution.

Answer: Increased income inequality. Wealthy farmers benefited more than small-scale farmers.

Flashcard 53: Who is known as the father of the Green Revolution?

Answer: Norman Borlaug. Won the Nobel Peace Prize for developing high-yield wheat varieties.

Flashcard 54: Which country experienced a significant impact from the Green Revolution in South Asia?

Answer: India. Transformed from food importer to major agricultural exporter.

Flashcard 55: What infrastructure development accompanied the Green Revolution?

Answer: Expansion of irrigation networks. Canals, pumps, and dams built to support water-intensive agriculture.

Flashcard 56: Identify one positive outcome of the Green Revolution.

Answer: Reduction in hunger. Dramatically increased food availability in developing countries.

Flashcard 57: Which irrigation technique was popularized during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Drip irrigation. Efficient water delivery system reduced waste and increased yields.

Flashcard 58: What is one adaptation made by farmers due to the Green Revolution?

Answer: Adoption of chemical pesticides. Farmers switched to chemical pest control methods for protection.

Flashcard 59: Identify one negative social impact of the Green Revolution.

Answer: Increased income inequality. Wealthy farmers benefited more than small-scale farmers.

Flashcard 60: Identify one major goal of the Green Revolution.

Answer: Increase food production. Aimed to combat world hunger through agricultural modernization.

Flashcard 61: What was a driving factor behind the Green Revolution?

Answer: Food security concerns. Growing populations needed increased food production to prevent famine.

Flashcard 62: State one impact of the Green Revolution on rural communities.

Answer: Increased rural income. Higher crop yields led to greater profits for farmers.

Flashcard 63: What type of farming became more prevalent due to the Green Revolution?

Answer: Intensive farming. High-input, high-output systems replaced traditional extensive methods.

Flashcard 64: What agricultural technique was emphasized during the Green Revolution?

Answer: Use of synthetic fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers provided essential nutrients for high-yield crops.

Flashcard 65: Identify an agricultural challenge that followed the Green Revolution.

Answer: Sustainability of practices. Long-term viability questioned due to environmental and economic costs.

Flashcard 66: Which international organization supported the Green Revolution?

Answer: The Rockefeller Foundation. Funded agricultural research and development programs worldwide.