Monocultures refer to agricultural practices where a single crop variety is grown over a large area for consecutive seasons. This method can lead to increased efficiency and higher yields for that specific crop, but it also poses risks such as soil depletion, increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, and reduced biodiversity. Over time, reliance on monoculture can harm ecosystems and make farming systems less resilient to environmental changes. Sustainable agricultural practices often advocate for crop rotation and polyculture to mitigate these risks.