AP Human Geography Unit 5: Agriculture

Semi-Arid (Steppe) Climates

A climate that receives about 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 centimeters) of rain annually that can support farming. Ex: Southern countries in Africa such as Botswana and Namibia

Arid Climates

A climate that receives less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) annually. Ex: Northern countries in Africa such as Egypt, Niger, Sudan, and Algeria

Moderate Climates

A climate with an average year-round temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius); found north and south of the equator on the edges of tropical climates. These types of climates generally have two seasons, but winter is mild. These types of climates also have great short-term weather variability and have rainfall either in winter or year round.

What are the Two Physical Elements that have always shaped agriculture?

Physical Geography and Climate

How does Physical Geography effect Agriculture?

The structure, processes, and location of climate soil, and overall topography can influence what is grown in the area.

Dry Climates

A climate in which the yearly precipitation is less than the potential loss of water by evaporation. This type of climate covers about 30 percent of the world's land area and have a complex balance between temperature and precipitation.

Tropical Wet Climates

A climate located along the equator that experiences rain every day of the year

Tropical Wet and Dry Climates

A climate located along the equator that has a dry season with little to no rain, usually in the winter, and is subject to monsoons.

Humid Subtropical Climates

A climate that has long, hot summers, and short relatively mild winters with variable precipitation. The types of temperature between different locations can also experience variations. Ex: The temperature range in Sydney, Australia, region is 35 degree Fahrenheit (1.67 °C), with an annual precipitation of 47 inches (119 cm). On the other hand the temperature range in eastern China is about 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit (16 °C) and has an annual precipitation of about 65 inches (165 cm).

Monsoon

A seasonal reversal of winds with a general onshore movement in winter; onshore winds bring mons

Intensive Subsistence Agriculture

Agriculture in which farmers must expend a relatively large amount of effort to produce the maximum feasible yield from a parcel of land. The primary goal is to grow enough food or raise enough livestock to meet the immediate needs of the farmer and his or her family., not for economic gain.

Commercial Agriculture

Agriculture in which the primary goal is to grow enough crops or raise enough livestock to sell for profit. This type exist in all types of countries but is more common in developed countries. To increase yields further, farmers often use the profit from the sale of their products to purchase more land, equipment, and technology, or to pay for the training in the newest farming techniques. Ex: Cattle Raising in the United States and Canada

Subsistence Agriculture

Agriculture in which the primary goal is to grow enough food or raise enough livestock to meet the immediate needs of the farmer and his or her family. The secondary goal is to sell or trade any surplus for income or goods. Ex: Animal herding practiced by pastoral nomads in North Africa.

Intensive Commercial Agriculture

Agriculture that occurs in commercial economies, and has heavy investments in labor and capital, usually results in crops that have high yields and market value

Example of how climate affects agriculture:

Coffee grows best on hillsides in warm climates, such as Kenya or Columbia. Olives grapes and figs do well in the soil and climate near the Mediterranean Sea. Those foods became dietary staples for people in those regions.

Example of how Physical Geography affects Agriculture:

Cotton needs nutrient-rich soil, while sorghum can grow in nutrient-poor soils, such as rainforest.

What are the characteristics of a subsistence farmer?

Farmers who live in less-developed regions of the world and have small farms or fewer than two acres of land. Limited land and the expense of advanced agricultural technologies have, made it difficult for these farms to grow excess food to sell or trade.

What are some examples of how humans have altered the physical environment to increase agricultural production?

Irrigation, Terrace Farming, Deforestation, Desertification, and the drainage of wetlands

Examples of Intensive Commercial Agriculture

Market gardening, plantations, and large-scale mixed crop and livestock systems

Intensive Agriculture

Practices in which farmers or ranchers use a large amount of inputs, such as energy, fertilizers, labor, or machines, to maximize yields. These practices also use small amounts of land in comparison to how much they (Real-World Example: Dairy farms are often located just outside of towns or cities. These types of farms use a lot of capital, labour and machinery.)

Extensive Agriculture

Practices that require little hired labor or monetary investment to successfully raise crops and animals. These types of practices mostly rely on natural soil fertility and climate conditions. Ex: Shifting Cultivation, Nomadic Herding, and Livestock Ranching

How does Climate effect Agriculture?

The long-term weather patterns in a region can affect the type of plants produced there and animals raised in that environment.

Capital

The money invested in land, equipment, and machines

Agriculture

The process by which humans alter the landscape in order to raise crops and livestock for consumption and trade

Physical Geography

The spatial analysis of the structure, processes, and location of Earth's natural phenomena such as climate, soil, plants, animals, and topography.

Climate

The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.

Monsoon Rains

long periods of heavy rains everyday at the end of a short dry season