Agricultural Terms and Geographic Patterns

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Questions and Answers

What condition is responsible for the polar areas being cold despite 24 hours of sunlight during summer?

Filtered sunlight and low angle of rays (correct)

Proximity to water bodies

Geothermal activity

High elevation

Which climate zone is recognized as the birthplace of agriculture?

Polar zone

Torrid zone

Desert climate

Temperate/mid-latitude climates (correct)

What is primarily grown in grasslands according to the content provided?

Tree crops

Cereal grains (correct)

Root vegetables

Fruits

Which of the following regions is NOT part of the Mediterranean climate zone?

Northern coast of Africa Signup and view all the answers

Why were early geographers biased in favor of the temperate zone?

They considered it more suitable for human development. Signup and view all the answers

What role does rainfall play in temperate climates for agriculture?

Rainfall timing must align with the growing season. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of the Mediterranean climate?

Warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters Signup and view all the answers

Which theory replaced the older view of environmental determinism?

Environmental Possibilism Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary method used for surveying the Louisiana Purchase?

Chains or string with measurement tools Signup and view all the answers

What are benchmarks primarily used for in surveying?

To state the elevation and other information Signup and view all the answers

Which surveying system is based on natural and manmade landmarks?

Metes and Bounds System Signup and view all the answers

What shape do properties typically have when surveyed using the metes and bounds system?

Irregular shapes and sizes Signup and view all the answers

What does the Township and Range System primarily rely on for its surveying?

Latitude and longitude baselines Signup and view all the answers

What historical connection does the metes and bounds system have?

It was brought over by English colonists. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following problems did early surveying methods commonly cause?

Boundaries were often disputed Signup and view all the answers

What kind of areas is the metes and bounds system best suited for?

Irregularly sized or shaped land parcels Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes nomadic herding from ranching?

Nomadic herding does not generate surplus for profit. Signup and view all the answers

How has barbed wire impacted ranching in the United States?

It reduced costs for enclosing large parcels of land. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced by nomadic herders?

Navigating across international borders. Signup and view all the answers

In what type of regions do nomadic herding primarily occur?

Deserts or tundra regions. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the introduction of barbed wire in ranching?

It reduced the conflict over grazing rights. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the subsistence nature of nomadic herders?

Herders raise livestock primarily for survival. Signup and view all the answers

What role did barbed wire play for ranchers after its invention?

It enabled ranchers to control vast areas of land. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does population growth have on nomadic tribes?

It pressures them into smaller areas. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a clustered rural settlement?

Families live in close proximity with farmland surrounding them. Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following scenarios would a dispersed settlement likely occur?

In areas with extensive farmland spread out. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of linear settlements?

They often form along roads, rivers, or canals. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the process of land surveying?

The scientific process of measuring horizontal distances and elevations. Signup and view all the answers

What has influenced the prevalence of dispersed settlements in the United States?

The surveying practices during westward expansion. Signup and view all the answers

Which tool is commonly used to take measurements during the surveying process?

Theodolite. Signup and view all the answers

How do clustered rural settlements differ from urban settlements?

Clustered rural settlements typically consist of closely placed houses surrounded by farmland. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the stadia rod play in surveying?

It is used to take measurements of elevation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic climate for plantation agriculture?

Tropical climate with high temperatures and rainfall Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following crops is NOT typical for plantation agriculture?

Corn Signup and view all the answers

What was a fundamental aspect of the early plantation system in North America?

Use of slave labor for export commodities Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes mixed crop and livestock farming from plantations?

Mixed farms derive a majority of income from animal products Signup and view all the answers

What is intercropping primarily aimed at achieving?

Increasing yield by utilizing resources efficiently Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of planting used in intertillage?

Planting crops in close proximity along the same mound Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the plantation farming system?

Very large farms focusing on cash crops using slave or low-wage labor Signup and view all the answers

Which practice requires substantial human labor and is commonly used in slash & burn agriculture?

Intertillage for season-spread production Signup and view all the answers

What is a township in the context of the Township and Range system?

A distance measured north or south from the baseline Signup and view all the answers

How large is a typical township in the Township and Range system?

6 miles per side Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Range in the Township and Range system?

It measures distance east or west of the principal meridian Signup and view all the answers

What is the size of each section in the Township and Range system?

640 acres Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the counties in Texas settled using the metes and bounds survey system?

Small and irregularly shaped Signup and view all the answers

How did the Township and Range system affect the population distribution in the Great Plains?

It encouraged population spread across the landscape Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of counties surveyed in the panhandle of Texas?

Based on a rectangular survey system Signup and view all the answers

What is the Long Lot System used in regions like Quebec and Louisiana?

A survey system resulting in long and narrow lots Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Agricultural Definitions

Fertilizer: A chemical or natural product used to add nutrients to the soil.
Pesticide: A chemical or natural product used to prevent crop damage from insects.
Cultivate: To grow.
Domesticate: To raise for human use.

Physical Geographic Patterns

Continents have varied landforms.
Some landforms are more suitable for agriculture than others.
Mountains: Rugged terrain making farming difficult, but with varied climates at different elevations.
Plains: Flat, sweeping landmasses with varying elevations, including lowlands, coastal plains, and elevated plains (plateaus).
River Valleys: Lowland areas often with rivers running through them. Very fertile due to the organic sediment deposited during floods. Earliest civilizations often developed in river valleys.

Landforms of the US

The US contains a wide variety of landforms.
Coastal plains are wide on the east coast and narrow on the west.
The Great Plains are flat, with coastal plains in south Texas, transitioning to plateaus in the central part.
The Basin and Range region is situated between the Rockies (east) and Cascade/Sierra Nevada ranges (west) and has varied elevations.
The American southwest contains extensive deserts.

Climate Regions

Climate regions are categorized by temperature and precipitation patterns.
Tropical Climate: Warm temperatures and high precipitation year-round. Located around the equator (red on map).
Desert Climate: Arid regions with low rainfall. located on both sides of the Tropical Zone (orange on map).
Polar/Tundra Climate: Cold year-round, with frozen or ice-covered ground, unsuitable for agriculture. (dark blue on map).
Temperate Zone: Four distinct seasons (winter, spring, summer, autumn). Located between polar and tropical zones (green on map).

What Causes Seasons?

The Earth's tilt (23.5 degrees) causes different parts of the Earth to receive more direct sunlight at various times of the year.
Summer months in the Northern Hemisphere: Longer days, more direct sunlight, more energy received from the sun.
Winter months in the Northern Hemisphere: Shorter days, less direct sunlight, less energy received from the sun.
The Southern Hemisphere experiences opposite seasons to the Northern Hemisphere.

Sub-tropical Climates

Located just outside the tropical zone.
Hot summers and mild winters with rain year-round.
Suitable for crops needing a long growing season (often >200 days).

Tropical Climates

Average yearly temperature above 64°F.
No distinct seasons.
Very suitable for year-round crop growth, unlike other regions.
Vulnerable to certain diseases due to consistent warm conditions.

Tropical Agriculture

Requires different methods of agriculture versus other regions.
Planting via cuttings rather than seeds is often used.
Cash crops include bananas, pineapple, coconut, cocoa, coffee, and sugar cane.
Traditional methods can be environmentally damaging.

Commercial vs. Subsistence Agriculture

Commercial: Farming for profit, growing a surplus for sale, using large plots of land, labor, and machinery. Often specializing in 1 or 2 crop types.
Subsistence: Growing food to feed the family, small plots of land, relying on human/animal labor, producing a wide variety of crops.

Intensive Farming

High input of labor, machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides.
High yield per unit of land.
Can involve commercial farming (for profit) or subsistence farming (for self-consumption).
Extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Market Gardening

Commercial production of perishable crops for nearby cities.
Intensive agriculture method.
Techniques involving quality plant selection, soil fertilization, and irrigation are used.
Important for providing fresh produce.

Plantation Agriculture

Intensive form of commercial farming focused on growing one or two crops.
Requires large amounts of capital investment and land.
Often uses inexpensive labor and machinery.
Common crops include cotton, coffee, cocoa, rubber, palm, sugarcane, tea, tobacco, bananas, pineapple (etc)

Mixed Crop/Livestock Systems

Farms that produce both crops and livestock.
Crops are often used to feed livestock.
A form of intensive agriculture.

Intercropping

Multiple crops grown in close proximity.
Aims to maximize resource utilization and yield more from one piece of land.

Interillage

A practice of planting crops in varying levels within a plot of land.
Typically used in slash and burn style agriculture due to labor intensive aspect.

Extensive Farming

Uses less inputs per unit of land compared to intensive methods.
Low inputs of labor, fertilizers, and capital.
Examples include ranching, nomadic herding, and shifting cultivation.
Large amounts of land required.

Shifting Cultivation

Used in tropical regions.
Clearing vegetation (typically by burning), cultivating the land for a few years, and then letting it lie fallow for several years.
Labour intensive method of farming.
Often problematic with long term use for nutrient replenishment.

Nomadic Herding

Raising livestock (sheep, goats, cattle) over a large area.
No fixed location; follows the available forage and water sources.
Usually in arid/semiarid regions.

Ranching

Commercially raising large animals on a ranch that has defined property boundaries.
Land area is often extensive.

Classification of Rural Settlements

Residential areas in places with agricultural activities.
Settlements vary greatly in density.

Clustered Settlements

Farms with dwellings close together.
Rural settlements that have homes/dwellings clustered together.

Linear Settlements

Buildings are located along transport routes (roads, canals, rivers etc)

Dispersed Settlements

Farmsteads scattered across the land.
Often found in regions with relatively flat topography.

Rural Survey Methods

The scientific process for measuring land dimensions, including distances, directions, and elevation.
Different surveying methods include: metes and bounds, township and range, and long lot systems.

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Description

This quiz covers essential agricultural definitions and the physical geographic patterns that influence land use, particularly for farming. It examines the relationship between various landforms in the US and their suitability for agriculture. Test your knowledge on terms like fertilizer and pesticide, as well as the characteristics of different landforms.