Agriculture, Food Production, and Rural Land Use Review AP Human Geography AP Exam Review

Agriculture Preview 1st Revolution 2nd Revolution 3rd Revolution Responses to the Green Revolution

Hunting and Gathering Only way to acquire food for most of our existence (like 99% ) Population of groups were small (20ish - 40ish) Settlements were not permanent Development of gender roles Very few exist today Bushmen of the Kalahari

Agriculture Deliberate modification of Earth’s surface through cultivation of plants and rearing of animals to obtain sustenance or economic gain Invented around 10,000 – 14,000 years ago Invented twice: Vegetative vs. Seed

Vegetative Planting: Origin and Diffusion

Seed Agriculture: Origin and Diffusion

Fertile Crescent: Origin of Civilization Due to seed selection, plants got bigger over time - selective breeding Generated a surplus of wheat and barley – allowed people to stay in one place for a prolonged period First integration of plant growing and animal raising – crops feed livestock, livestock help in growing crops

Most basic types of agriculture Commercial Agriculture (Market-oriented) and Subsistence Agriculture Distinguished by five characteristics: Purpose of farming % of farmers in labor force Use of machinery Farm size Agribusiness Correlation to MDCs and LDCs?

Agricultural Regions: Correlation of Climate Derwent Whittlesey, 1936 identified 11 regions and 1 “none here” region Agricultural Regions in MDCs Agricultural Regions in LDCs Mixed crop and livestock Dairy Grain Commercial gardening Livestock ranching Mediterranean Plantation Shifting cultivation Intensive subsistence wet-rice dom. Intensive subsistence wet-rice non. Pastoral nomadism

First Agricultural Revolution About 8,000 years ago Intentional domestication of plants and animals Created surplus of crops like wheat and barley Surplus of food allowed specialization of labor, which created civilization as we know it Subsistence based

Second Agricultural Revolution Around 1650-1900 Coincided with the Industrial Revolution New technologies yield more crops Farming equipment, refrigeration, railroads Larger farms – could do much more with much less Introduction of commercial farming – could transport to in-demand markets Think about its role in the DTM…

Third Agricultural Revolution Also know as the Green Revolution 1940s and 50s - today Higher-yield seeds Expanded use of fertilizers and pesticides GMO/GE crops and animals Created agribusiness Major effects on “hungry areas”

Organic Revolt: Response to the Green Revolution Organic Agriculture: production of crops without the use of synthetic or industrially produced pesticides and fertilizers or the raising of livestock without hormones, antibiotics, and synthetic feeds

Response to the Green Revolution Critics of the Green Revolution argue: 1. Vulnerability to pests 2. Dependency on chemicals for production 3. Soil erosion 4. Malnutrition – vitamin & nutrient deficiencies 5. Water shortages Sikkim, India 2,740 square miles (Harris County = 1,777) India’s least populated state Entire state 100% organic by 2015

Organic vs. Non-Organic Cropland Organic: 1 dot = 250 acres Non-Organic: 1 dot = 25,000 acres

Von Thünen’s Model X = intensive, higher-value land, perishable goods, easy accessibility to market Y = extensive, lower-value land, fewer perishable goods, less accessibility to market Y X

Von Thünen’s Model’s a little outdated: Refrigeration and food preservation Not all agricultural products are used for food Regional and global markets Increased transportation Decreased need for forests Government policies