AP Human Geography Flashcards: Challenges Of Contemporary Agriculture

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Challenges Of Contemporary Agriculture, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Human Geography.

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 is food security?

Answer: Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Ensures reliable access to adequate nutrition for populations.

Flashcard 2: Identify one problem caused by agricultural runoff.

Answer: Eutrophication of water bodies. Excess nutrients cause algae blooms and oxygen depletion.

Flashcard 3: Which term describes the use of alternative energy sources in farming?

Answer: Renewable energy agriculture. Incorporates solar, wind, or bioenergy into farm operations.

Flashcard 4: Identify one impact of pesticide use in agriculture.

Answer: Pollution of water sources. Chemical runoff contaminates groundwater and surface water.

Flashcard 5: What is the primary goal of organic farming?

Answer: To enhance soil and ecosystem health without synthetic inputs. Avoids synthetic chemicals to maintain natural ecosystem balance.

Flashcard 6: What is the main purpose of agricultural subsidies?

Answer: To support farmers' incomes and stabilize food prices. Government payments help maintain agricultural economic stability.

Flashcard 7: Identify one method to increase biodiversity on a farm.

Answer: Intercropping. Multiple crop varieties support diverse beneficial organisms.

Flashcard 8: What is the main goal of regenerative agriculture?

Answer: To restore soil health and biodiversity. Goes beyond sustainability to actively improve ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 9: What is food security?

Answer: Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Ensures reliable access to adequate nutrition for populations.

Flashcard 10: Which technique involves planting trees as windbreaks?

Answer: Shelterbelts. Tree barriers protect crops from wind damage and erosion.

Flashcard 11: Which term refers to agriculture that produces food for the farmer's family?

Answer: Subsistence farming. Focuses on self-sufficiency rather than commercial production.

Flashcard 12: Identify one social issue related to contemporary agriculture.

Answer: Labor exploitation. Agricultural workers often face poor conditions and low wages.

Flashcard 13: Identify one major environmental impact of intensive farming.

Answer: Soil degradation. Intensive farming often leads to nutrient depletion and erosion.

Flashcard 14: What is the definition of sustainable agriculture?

Answer: Farming that meets current needs without compromising future resources. Balances current production needs with long-term environmental preservation.

Flashcard 15: What is the concept of food sovereignty?

Answer: The right of peoples to define their own food systems. Emphasizes local control over food production and distribution.

Flashcard 16: What is one impact of global trade on agriculture?

Answer: Increased competition for local farmers. International markets create price pressure on domestic producers.

Flashcard 17: What does the term 'food desert' refer to?

Answer: An area with limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Typically occurs in low-income urban or rural areas.

Flashcard 18: Which agricultural practice aims to reduce water usage?

Answer: Drip irrigation. Delivers water directly to plant roots, minimizing waste.

Flashcard 19: What does CSA stand for in agriculture?

Answer: Community Supported Agriculture. Direct partnership model between farmers and consumers.

Flashcard 20: Identify one method to increase biodiversity on a farm.

Answer: Intercropping. Multiple crop varieties support diverse beneficial organisms.

Flashcard 21: Identify a challenge related to water management in agriculture.

Answer: Over-irrigation leading to waterlogging. Excess water can damage roots and reduce crop productivity.

Flashcard 22: Which practice involves rotating different crops on the same land?

Answer: Crop rotation. Alternates crops to improve soil fertility and reduce pests.

Flashcard 23: Which technology is used for precise field mapping in agriculture?

Answer: GPS technology. Enables accurate location tracking for precision farming applications.

Flashcard 24: Which term describes farming that integrates livestock and crop production?

Answer: Mixed farming. Combines crop and livestock systems for diversified production.

Flashcard 25: What is one benefit of using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in farming?

Answer: Increased crop yield. Genetic modifications can enhance productivity and pest resistance.

Flashcard 26: What is aquaculture?

Answer: The cultivation of aquatic organisms for food. Includes farming fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.

Flashcard 27: What does CSA stand for in agriculture?

Answer: Community Supported Agriculture. Direct partnership model between farmers and consumers.

Flashcard 28: What does IPM stand for in agriculture?

Answer: Integrated Pest Management. Combines biological, chemical, and cultural pest control methods.

Flashcard 29: What does the term 'food desert' refer to?

Answer: An area with limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Typically occurs in low-income urban or rural areas.

Flashcard 30: Identify one problem caused by agricultural runoff.

Answer: Eutrophication of water bodies. Excess nutrients cause algae blooms and oxygen depletion.

Flashcard 31: Identify one impact of pesticide use in agriculture.

Answer: Pollution of water sources. Chemical runoff contaminates groundwater and surface water.

Flashcard 32: Identify one way technology has improved crop management.

Answer: Drones for aerial crop monitoring. Provides real-time field surveillance and crop health assessment.

Flashcard 33: What is one economic challenge faced by small-scale farmers?

Answer: Limited access to markets. Small farmers often lack distribution networks and transportation.

Flashcard 34: What is the concept of food sovereignty?

Answer: The right of peoples to define their own food systems. Emphasizes local control over food production and distribution.

Flashcard 35: Identify one major environmental impact of intensive farming.

Answer: Soil degradation. Intensive farming often leads to nutrient depletion and erosion.

Flashcard 36: What is permaculture?

Answer: A design system for sustainable living and agriculture. Creates self-sustaining ecosystems that mimic natural patterns.

Flashcard 37: What is a common characteristic of industrial agriculture?

Answer: Large-scale monoculture. Emphasizes efficiency and high yields through specialized production.

Flashcard 38: Identify a major consequence of deforestation for agriculture.

Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Clearing forests eliminates habitat diversity and native species.

Flashcard 39: What is precision agriculture primarily used for?

Answer: Optimizing field-level management with technology. Uses GPS, sensors, and data analytics for targeted farming practices.

Flashcard 40: Which agricultural method helps prevent soil erosion?

Answer: Contour plowing. Follows natural land contours to slow water runoff.

Flashcard 41: Name one challenge of urban agriculture.

Answer: Limited space. Urban farming faces constraints from available land area.

Flashcard 42: What is precision agriculture primarily used for?

Answer: Optimizing field-level management with technology. Uses GPS, sensors, and data analytics for targeted farming practices.

Flashcard 43: What is the main purpose of agricultural subsidies?

Answer: To support farmers' incomes and stabilize food prices. Government payments help maintain agricultural economic stability.

Flashcard 44: What is the primary focus of conservation agriculture?

Answer: Sustainable land use and soil conservation. Minimizes environmental impact while maintaining productivity.

Flashcard 45: What is the definition of sustainable agriculture?

Answer: Farming that meets current needs without compromising future resources. Balances current production needs with long-term environmental preservation.

Flashcard 46: What is one benefit of using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in farming?

Answer: Increased crop yield. Genetic modifications can enhance productivity and pest resistance.

Flashcard 47: What is one advantage of no-till farming?

Answer: Reduces soil erosion. Maintains soil structure by avoiding mechanical disturbance.

Flashcard 48: What is hydroponics?

Answer: Growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution. Soil-free cultivation using mineral nutrient solutions.

Flashcard 49: Identify one way climate change affects agriculture.

Answer: Altered growing seasons. Temperature and precipitation changes disrupt traditional planting cycles.

Flashcard 50: What does IPM stand for in agriculture?

Answer: Integrated Pest Management. Combines biological, chemical, and cultural pest control methods.

Flashcard 51: Which agricultural method helps prevent soil erosion?

Answer: Contour plowing. Follows natural land contours to slow water runoff.

Flashcard 52: What is vertical farming?

Answer: Growing crops in stacked layers indoors. Maximizes production in minimal space using controlled environments.

Flashcard 53: Identify one social issue related to contemporary agriculture.

Answer: Labor exploitation. Agricultural workers often face poor conditions and low wages.

Flashcard 54: Identify a challenge related to water management in agriculture.

Answer: Over-irrigation leading to waterlogging. Excess water can damage roots and reduce crop productivity.

Flashcard 55: Which term refers to agriculture that produces food for the farmer's family?

Answer: Subsistence farming. Focuses on self-sufficiency rather than commercial production.

Flashcard 56: Which term describes the use of alternative energy sources in farming?

Answer: Renewable energy agriculture. Incorporates solar, wind, or bioenergy into farm operations.

Flashcard 57: What is the main goal of regenerative agriculture?

Answer: To restore soil health and biodiversity. Goes beyond sustainability to actively improve ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 58: Which practice involves rotating different crops on the same land?

Answer: Crop rotation. Alternates crops to improve soil fertility and reduce pests.

Flashcard 59: What is one advantage of no-till farming?

Answer: Reduces soil erosion. Maintains soil structure by avoiding mechanical disturbance.

Flashcard 60: What is monoculture farming?

Answer: Cultivation of a single crop over a large area. Specializes in one crop type, increasing efficiency but reducing diversity.