Back to Topic 5.2 — Agriculture and food

5.2.2ESS SL10 flashcards

Intensive vs extensive agriculture

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Card 1 of 105.2.2

Question

Define intensive agriculture.

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All 10 Flashcards — Intensive vs extensive agriculture

Card 1example

Question

Define intensive agriculture.

Answer

Intensive agriculture maximizes yield per unit area using high inputs of labour, capital, fertilizers, and technology.

💡 Hint

High inputs per area.

Card 2example

Question

Which farming type usually has higher yield per hectare: intensive or extensive?

Answer

Intensive agriculture.

💡 Hint

High inputs → higher yield.

Card 3example

Question

Define extensive agriculture.

Answer

Extensive agriculture uses large areas with low inputs per unit area, often relying on natural conditions and producing lower yields per hectare.

💡 Hint

Low inputs per area.

Card 4example

Question

Which farming type usually uses larger land area: intensive or extensive?

Answer

Extensive agriculture.

💡 Hint

Large area, lower yield.

Card 5example

Question

Give one example of intensive agriculture and one example of extensive agriculture.

Answer

Intensive: factory farming or irrigated rice. Extensive: pastoral ranching or dryland farming.

💡 Hint

One example each.

Card 6example

Question

Name one key drawback of extensive agriculture.

Answer

It often requires habitat clearance over large areas, increasing habitat loss and fragmentation.

💡 Hint

Large land footprint.

Card 7example

Question

Name one key drawback of intensive agriculture.

Answer

High inputs increase risks like pollution runoff, soil compaction, and greenhouse gas emissions.

💡 Hint

High-input impacts.

Card 8example

Question

State one environmental impact commonly linked to intensive agriculture.

Answer

Higher pollution risk from fertilizer and pesticide runoff (also higher energy use and soil compaction).

💡 Hint

High-input side effects.

Card 9example

Question

Explain the land sparing vs land sharing debate in one sentence.

Answer

Intensive farming may spare land by producing more on less area, while extensive/low-intensity farming may share land with biodiversity but needs more area.

💡 Hint

Yield vs area.

Card 10example

Question

Exam-style: why is there no single “best” farming approach?

Answer

Because sustainability depends on context and priorities (yield, biodiversity, water use, pollution, livelihoods).

💡 Hint

Context matters.

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Agriculture and food

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