AP Human Geography Flashcards: The Global System Of Agriculture

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Global System Of 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 slash-and-burn agriculture?

Answer: Clearing forest by burning to create fields for agriculture. Traditional method used in tropical forest regions.

Flashcard 2: Identify a benefit of crop rotation.

Answer: Improves soil fertility and reduces pest and disease build-up. Breaks disease cycles and maintains soil nutrients.

Flashcard 3: Identify a key feature of intensive agriculture.

Answer: High input of labor or capital per unit of land. Maximizes output from limited land through resource investment.

Flashcard 4: Identify one challenge of urban agriculture.

Answer: Limited space and soil contamination risks. Urban areas face unique agricultural constraints.

Flashcard 5: What is the concept of food miles?

Answer: Distance food travels from production to consumer, impacting carbon footprint. Shorter distances reduce transportation emissions.

Flashcard 6: What is the role of a food processor in agriculture?

Answer: Transforms raw ingredients into food products for consumers. Adds value between farm production and retail sale.

Flashcard 7: What is the purpose of a seed bank?

Answer: To preserve genetic diversity for future crop resilience. Maintains crop varieties against genetic erosion.

Flashcard 8: What is terrace farming?

Answer: A method of farming on sloped terrain using stepped levels. Prevents erosion and maximizes usable farmland.

Flashcard 9: What defines pastoral nomadism?

Answer: Herding domesticated animals in a seasonal migratory pattern. Follows water and grazing resources across landscapes.

Flashcard 10: Define the term 'crop yield'.

Answer: The total production of a crop per unit area. Measured in weight or volume per hectare or acre.

Flashcard 11: What is precision livestock farming?

Answer: Using technology to monitor and improve livestock management. Improves animal welfare and production efficiency.

Flashcard 12: What is community-supported agriculture (CSA)?

Answer: A system where consumers subscribe to receive farm produce regularly. Connects consumers directly with local farmers.

Flashcard 13: What is the role of a food processor in agriculture?

Answer: Transforms raw ingredients into food products for consumers. Adds value between farm production and retail sale.

Flashcard 14: What is the purpose of a seed bank?

Answer: To preserve genetic diversity for future crop resilience. Maintains crop varieties against genetic erosion.

Flashcard 15: Identify a key feature of intensive agriculture.

Answer: High input of labor or capital per unit of land. Maximizes output from limited land through resource investment.

Flashcard 16: Define the term 'agricultural intensification'.

Answer: Increasing agricultural production on existing farmland. Increases output without expanding farmland area.

Flashcard 17: What is precision livestock farming?

Answer: Using technology to monitor and improve livestock management. Improves animal welfare and production efficiency.

Flashcard 18: Identify one of the primary concerns of sustainable agriculture.

Answer: Minimizing environmental impact and conserving resources. Balances productivity with long-term environmental health.

Flashcard 19: Define GMOs in the context of agriculture.

Answer: Genetically modified organisms with altered DNA for desired traits. Enhances resistance to pests, diseases, or herbicides.

Flashcard 20: Describe plantation agriculture.

Answer: Large-scale farming focused on one or two cash crops. Common in tropical regions for export crops like coffee.

Flashcard 21: Define GMOs in the context of agriculture.

Answer: Genetically modified organisms with altered DNA for desired traits. Enhances resistance to pests, diseases, or herbicides.

Flashcard 22: Identify one impact of climate change on agriculture.

Answer: Altered precipitation patterns affecting crop yields. Threatens global food security through weather extremes.

Flashcard 23: What is commercial agriculture?

Answer: Agriculture aimed at producing crops and livestock for sale. Driven by profit motives and market demands.

Flashcard 24: What is the primary goal of precision agriculture?

Answer: Optimizing field-level management through technology. Uses GPS and sensors for targeted resource application.

Flashcard 25: Identify one major impact of deforestation on agriculture.

Answer: Loss of biodiversity and alteration of local climate patterns. Reduces carbon sequestration and increases erosion risk.

Flashcard 26: Define agroforestry.

Answer: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes. Provides multiple benefits including erosion control.

Flashcard 27: Define the term 'food security'.

Answer: Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all people. Ensures stable food supply for healthy populations.

Flashcard 28: What is commercial agriculture?

Answer: Agriculture aimed at producing crops and livestock for sale. Driven by profit motives and market demands.

Flashcard 29: Identify a primary goal of regenerative agriculture.

Answer: Restoring soil health and ecosystem biodiversity. Goes beyond sustainability to actively improve ecosystems.

Flashcard 30: Define subsistence agriculture.

Answer: Agriculture focused on growing food for household consumption. Farmers consume what they grow rather than selling it.

Flashcard 31: Explain the term 'intercropping'.

Answer: Growing two or more crops in proximity for mutual benefits. Maximizes land use efficiency and reduces competition.

Flashcard 32: Define the term 'agricultural subsidy'.

Answer: Government financial support to farmers to stabilize food prices. Helps maintain affordable food prices and farmer income.

Flashcard 33: Define food desert.

Answer: An area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food. Often found in low-income urban and rural areas.

Flashcard 34: Identify one challenge of urban agriculture.

Answer: Limited space and soil contamination risks. Urban areas face unique agricultural constraints.

Flashcard 35: What does the term 'food sovereignty' refer to?

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

Flashcard 36: Define agroforestry.

Answer: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes. Provides multiple benefits including erosion control.

Flashcard 37: What is shifting cultivation?

Answer: A farming method involving rotation of fields instead of crops. Allows soil to recover while farming different plots.

Flashcard 38: What is community-supported agriculture (CSA)?

Answer: A system where consumers subscribe to receive farm produce regularly. Connects consumers directly with local farmers.

Flashcard 39: Explain the term 'cash crop'.

Answer: A crop produced for its commercial value rather than for use by grower. Sold for income rather than direct consumption.

Flashcard 40: What is vertical farming?

Answer: Cultivating crops in vertically stacked layers, often indoors. Maximizes space efficiency in urban environments.

Flashcard 41: What are staple crops?

Answer: Crops that are continuously in demand and form a major part of a diet. Include grains like rice, wheat, and corn.

Flashcard 42: What is slash-and-burn agriculture?

Answer: Clearing forest by burning to create fields for agriculture. Traditional method used in tropical forest regions.

Flashcard 43: Identify one major impact of deforestation on agriculture.

Answer: Loss of biodiversity and alteration of local climate patterns. Reduces carbon sequestration and increases erosion risk.