5.10 Environmental Effects of Agricultural Land Use

Which of the following is NOT an environmental effect of agricultural land use?

• Pollution

• Land cover change

• Soil salinization

• Urbanization

Which agricultural practice is not mentioned as altering the landscape?

• Slash and burn

• Terraces

• Crop rotation

• Draining wetlands

Where is shifting cultivation practiced?

• North America and Europe

• South America, Central and West Africa, and Southeast Asia

• East Asia and Australia

• Middle East and North Africa

What is the consequence of not allowing an adequate fallow period in shifting cultivation?

• Increased soil fertility

• Soil degradation

• Improved crop yield

• Expansion of forested area

For how long is land typically cropped in shifting cultivation before it is left to recover?

• 1-3 years

• 5-10 years

• 10-15 years

• 20-25 years

Who typically practices terrace farming?

• Commercial farmers

• Subsistence farmers

• Industrial farmers

• Urban gardeners

Where are steps built for terrace farming?

• On the flat plains

• In the desert

• Into the sides of hills and mountain sides

• Along riverbanks

What is the main benefit of terrace farming?

• It increases soil erosion

• It allows cultivation of land that would otherwise be non-arable

• It requires less water for crops

• It is only suitable for dry climates

What type of crops are typically cultivated using terrace farming?

• Water-intensive crops like rice

• Dry crops like wheat

• Fruit trees

• Root vegetables

What is one of the advantages of terrace farming during rainfall?

• It increases the risk of flooding

• It requires additional irrigation systems

• The water floods through the steps without pulling out the plants or causing soil erosion

• It makes harvesting more difficult