Agriculture Unit Questions Set 3 1. What technological advances have allowed commercial farmers in the U.S. and Canada to produce higher crop yields? 2. How does GPS help farmers? 3. Why are farms so large in the U.S.today? 4. What is happening to farm land around large cities today? 5. How has GIS helped agriculture in Maryland? 6. What is the major reason why the amount of farmland has decreased since 1990? 7. What is "prime agricultural land"? 8. What is "agribusiness"? 9. List the 11 main agricultural regions in the world and name 1 country in each region.(see world map in text) 10. How might "culture'' affect agriculture? 11. Name and explain the 2 major characteristics of "Shifting Cultivation". 12. What is "Slash-and -Burn" agriculture? 13.What is "Swidden ??? 14. What are the limits of swidden?

1. Technological advances such as genetically modified crops, precision agriculture, and advanced irrigation systems have allowed commercial farmers in the U.S. and Canada to produce higher crop yields.<br />2. GPS helps farmers by providing accurate location data, which allows for precise application of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. It also aids in mapping fields and monitoring crop growth.<br />3. Farms in the U.S. are large due to economies of scale, which allow for more efficient production and lower costs. Additionally, large farms can better utilize machinery and technology.<br />4. Farmland around large cities is often converted to residential, commercial, or industrial use due to urbanization and development.<br />5. GIS (Geographic Information System) has helped agriculture in Maryland by providing detailed maps and data analysis for land use planning, soil mapping, and crop management.<br />6. The major reason for the decrease in farmland since 1990 is urbanization and development.<br />7. "Prime agricultural land" refers to land that is highly productive and suitable for farming, with fertile soil and favorable climate conditions.<br />8. "Agribusiness" refers to the large-scale production and distribution of agricultural products. It involves the integration of farming, processing, and marketing.<br />9. The 11 main agricultural regions in the world are:<br /> - Mediterranean Region: Spain<br /> - Central Eurasian Region: Russia<br /> - East Asia Region: China<br /> - South Asia Region: India<br /> - Southeast Asia Region: Thailand<br /> - East Africa Region: Kenya<br /> - West Africa Region: Nigeria<br /> - Central America Region: Mexico<br /> - South America Region: Brazil<br /> - North America Region: United States<br /> - Oceania Region: Australia<br />10. "Culture" can affect agriculture through factors such as traditional farming practices, crop varieties, and consumer preferences.<br />11. The two major characteristics of "Shifting Cultivation" are:<br /> - Clearing a piece of land by cutting down trees and burning them<br /> - Planting crops on the cleared land for a few years until the soil becomes less fertile, then moving to a new area and repeating the process<br />12. "Slash-and-Burn" agriculture is a method of clearing land by cutting down trees and burning them, which is then used for farming.<br />13. "Swidden" refers to the land that has been cleared by slash-and-burn agriculture and is used for farming.<br />14. The limits of swidden include soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and potential conflicts with indigenous communities.