Comprehensive Guide to AP Environmental Science Unit 5: Agriculture

Green Revolution

A shift in agricultural practices in the twentieth century that dramatically increased food production through new technologies.

Mechanization

The use of machinery in farming to replace human and animal labor.

Fossil Fuels

Non-renewable energy sources derived from ancient organic material, used heavily in modern agriculture.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Crops that have been genetically engineered for specific traits like drought tolerance or pest resistance.

Monocropping

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop over a wide area for consecutive seasons.

Soil Degradation

The decline in soil quality caused by improper agricultural practices.

Tilling

The agricultural practice of turning over the soil to prepare for planting.

Desertification

The process by which fertile land becomes desert, often as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Eutrophication

Nutrient pollution that causes algal blooms and depletes oxygen in aquatic ecosystems.

Hypoxic Zones

Areas in water bodies with low oxygen concentration, where most aquatic life cannot survive.

Waterlogging

A condition where soil is saturated with water, hindering crop root respiration.

Salinization

The accumulation of salt in soil, often from irrigation practices, leading to reduced fertility.

Pesticide Treadmill

A cycle where pests develop resistance to pesticides, requiring stronger ones to control them.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

An ecosystem-based approach to pest control that uses a combination of techniques to minimize damage.

Biocontrol

The use of natural predators or organisms to manage pest populations.

Intercropping

Planting different crops together to increase biodiversity and pest control.

Crop Rotation

The practice of growing different crops in succession on the same land to maintain soil health.

CAFOs

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, which are large-scale industrial farms for livestock.

Free-Range Grazing

A farming method where animals roam freely and feed on natural vegetation.

Aquaculture

The farming of fish and other aquatic organisms in controlled environments.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxins in organisms at each successive level of the food chain.

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, in the tissue of a single organism.

IPM Misconception

The incorrect belief that Integrated Pest Management means no chemical use; chemicals are used only as a last resort.

GMO Definition

Genetically Modified Organisms that are engineered for specific traits, not inherently harmful to health.