Agriculture

Science

Definition

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating crops and raising livestock to produce food, fiber, and other products. Modern agriculture significantly impacts ecosystems through land use change, water consumption, pesticide application, and nutrient runoff.

Examples

  • The Green Revolution of the 1960s dramatically increased crop yields through selective breeding and fertilizers
  • Crop rotation helps maintain soil fertility by alternating plants that deplete specific nutrients with those that restore them
  • Agricultural runoff containing nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers causes algal blooms and dead zones in waterways

Related Terms

Soil composition Water management Biodiversity Biogeochemical cycles

Study This Concept

Practice agriculture with free review games in these units:

AP Environmental Science Unit 5: Land and Water Use