Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

Which concept describes agricultural practices that depend mainly on livestock management?

1. Intensive Agriculture

2. Pastoralism

3. Shifting Cultivation

4. Crop Rotation

The correct answer is: Pastoralism

The concept that describes agricultural practices primarily centered around livestock management is pastoralism. This form of agriculture involves the raising and herding of animals for food, clothing, and other products. Pastoralists typically migrate with their herds to find fresh pastures and water sources, often in response to the seasonal availability of resources. This practice is particularly common in regions where crop cultivation is challenging due to climate, terrain, or soil conditions, making livestock a more viable means of subsistence. In contrast, intensive agriculture focuses on maximizing yield per area through the use of high inputs, like fertilizers and irrigation, typically associated with crop production rather than livestock. Shifting cultivation involves alternating areas of cultivation and fallow periods to maintain soil fertility, which also leans more heavily on crop farming rather than herding animals. Crop rotation is a farming practice involving the planting of different crops in succession on the same land to improve soil health and reduce pests, again emphasizing cultivated crops rather than livestock.