C1nounenvironmentnature
US/ˈmɑː.noʊˌkʌl.tʃər/
UK/ˈmɒn.əʊˌkʌl.tʃə/
the practice of growing only one type of crop on a large area of land, year after year
In context
Critics say monoculture makes farms more likely to lose their entire crop to disease.
Palm oil plantations are a monoculture that leaves little room for wildlife.
Monocultures need large amounts of chemicals because pests spread quickly through one type of plant.
Words that go with monoculture
noun + noun
- crop monocultureCrop monoculture has increased as farms have become larger.
adjective + noun
- agricultural monocultureAgricultural monoculture harms the soil over time.
- large-scale monocultureLarge-scale monoculture has damaged the landscape.
verb + noun
- avoid monocultureMixed farming helps farmers avoid monoculture.
verb + preposition
- rely on monocultureMany large farms rely on monoculture to keep costs low.
noun + preposition
- dangers of monocultureThe dangers of monoculture became clear after the potato famine.