Agriculture and Environmental Impact Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary energy source that sustains life on Earth?

  • The sun (correct)
  • Wind energy
  • Moonlight
  • Geothermal heat
  • Which of the following best describes a characteristic of producers?

  • They only exist in water habitats.
  • They can be either plants or animals.
  • They depend on other organisms for energy.
  • They create energy from sunlight. (correct)
  • What is a significant environmental consequence of food production?

  • Reforestation of habitats.
  • Increased biodiversity.
  • Soil fertility increase.
  • Groundwater depletion. (correct)
  • Which type of agriculture focuses primarily on producing food for personal consumption?

    <p>Traditional subsistence agriculture (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one key component of topsoil that supports plant growth?

    <p>Decaying organic matter (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process continually recycles essential nutrients for living organisms?

    <p>Chemical cycling (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of agriculture typically involves the cultivation of a single crop?

    <p>Monoculture farming (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements describes a risk associated with traditional intensive agriculture?

    <p>It can use harmful chemical runoff. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one primary characteristic of industrialized agriculture?

    <p>Requires significant chemical inputs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the process of altering an organism's DNA for faster crop improvement?

    <p>Genetic engineering (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a benefit of narrow-spectrum pesticides compared to broad-spectrum pesticides?

    <p>They target specific pest species (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which farming method is specifically banned in organic agriculture?

    <p>Use of synthetic fertilizers (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant change observed in modern fish production?

    <p>Increased use of feedlot systems (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does organic agriculture primarily manage pest control?

    <p>Employing natural pest control methods (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of U.S cropland is certified organic?

    <p>0.6% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major advantage of genetically altered crops demonstrated in pest resistance?

    <p>Reduced pest damage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main cause of undernutrition and malnutrition worldwide?

    <p>Poverty (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following health issues is NOT associated with overnutrition?

    <p>Anemia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the U.S. population is reported to be obese?

    <p>1/3 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the leading cause of topsoil erosion?

    <p>Flowing water from rainfall (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What practice significantly contributes to soil salinization?

    <p>High evaporation rates in arid regions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of overpumping aquifers in the U.S.?

    <p>Drying up of streams and wetlands (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a potential negative effect of pesticide use?

    <p>Biomagnification (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true regarding pesticide poisoning?

    <p>It poisons 300,000 people in the U.S. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant effect of sediment from soil erosion on aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>It smothers aquatic plants and disrupts life. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do nitrates and phosphates contribute to water pollution?

    <p>They lead to the explosive growth of algae. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What potential hazard is associated with genetic engineering in agriculture?

    <p>Mixing genes from different species. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a possible consequence of loss of agrobiodiversity?

    <p>Dependence on a few crop varieties. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the degradation of land in industrial meat production?

    <p>Increased numbers of livestock. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a noted environmental impact of industrial fish production?

    <p>Reduction of fish biodiversity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which practice can help increase food production without significantly expanding arable land?

    <p>Cultivating marginal land. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a negative consequence of raising large numbers of fish in offshore cages?

    <p>Pollution from fish wastes and antibiotics. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a benefit of contour planting and strip cropping?

    <p>Helps to prevent topsoil erosion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What method can restore soil fertility?

    <p>Employing crop rotation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which technique can help control crop pests sustainably?

    <p>Integrated pest management (IPM) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an advantage of practicing polyculture?

    <p>Reduces chances of losing the entire crop (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What environmental effect can arise from extensive irrigation?

    <p>Erosion of steep slopes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of windbreaks in agriculture?

    <p>To protect against wind erosion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can organic compost contribute to soil health?

    <p>Restores nutrients to topsoil (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key strategy to reduce soil erosion on farms?

    <p>Implement crop rotation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Nutritious diet

    A diet that provides all essential nutrients for a healthy and productive life.

    Food production impact

    Food production can deplete resources and harm the environment.

    Energy flow

    The movement of energy through living organisms, starting from the Sun.

    Chemical cycling

    The continuous circulation of essential nutrients in the environment.

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    Producers

    Organisms that make their own food, like plants.

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    Consumers

    Organisms that eat other organisms for energy.

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    Topsoil characteristics

    Topsoil is a vital, complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, air and organisms that supports plant growth.

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    Traditional subsistence agriculture

    Farming that produces enough food for the farmer and their family.

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    Industrialized Agriculture

    Methods of farming that use large-scale equipment, chemicals (pesticides), and specialized setups for maximum output.

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    Chemical Pesticides

    Synthetic substances used to control pests in agriculture.

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    Genetic Engineering

    Directly changing an organism's DNA to improve traits.

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    GMOs

    Genetically Modified Organisms, plants or animals with altered DNA.

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    Organic Agriculture

    Farming without using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms. It relies on natural methods.

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    Natural Pest Control

    Methods like predators and diseases that keep pest populations in check without chemical intervention.

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    Crossbreeding

    Improving crop varieties by artificially selecting and breeding plants with desirable traits for long periods.

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    Feedlot livestock production

    Keeping animals in close quarters and feeding them grain to fatten them rapidly.

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    Food insecurity

    A situation where people lack consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

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    Malnutrition

    A condition that arises when a person does not get enough of the necessary nutrients for a healthy body.

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    Soil erosion

    The wearing away of topsoil by wind or water, lowering food production.

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    Soil degradation

    The process where topsoil loses its ability to support plant growth.

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    Desertification

    A type of land degradation where fertile land becomes dry and barren, like desert.

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    Soil salinization

    The buildup of salt in the soil, making it less fertile.

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    Pesticide harm

    Harmful effects on the environment and people through the use of pesticides.

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    Aquifer depletion

    Overusing groundwater faster than it can be replenished.

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    Contour Planting

    Planting crops along the curves of a slope, following the contours of the land, to slow down water runoff and reduce erosion.

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    Strip Cropping

    Planting different crops in alternating strips across a slope to break up the flow of water and prevent soil erosion.

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    Alley Cropping

    Growing crops in rows between rows of trees, providing windbreaks and reducing erosion.

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    Reduce Tillage

    Minimizing the disruption of soil by reducing the frequency and intensity of tilling or plowing, which helps retain soil structure and moisture.

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    Crop Rotation

    Planting different crops in a sequence on the same land over time to improve soil fertility and control pests.

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    Polyculture

    Growing multiple crops together on the same piece of land, increasing biodiversity and sustainability.

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    Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

    A sustainable approach to pest control that uses a combination of methods, including natural predators, crop rotation, and minimal pesticide use.

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    Sediment Pollution

    Soil erosion washes sediment into waterways, smothering aquatic life and disrupting ecosystems.

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    Nitrate and Phosphate Pollution

    Excessive nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers cause algal blooms, leading to oxygen depletion and "dead zones" in water.

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    Air Pollution from Machinery

    Emissions from machinery contribute to air pollution, potentially impacting human health and the environment.

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    Genetic Engineering Risks

    While genetic engineering can benefit food security, potential risks include unintended consequences from mixing genes across species.

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    Biodiversity Loss

    Loss of diverse species, habitats, and genetic diversity is a major threat to life on Earth, including food security.

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    Industrial Meat Production Impacts

    Intensive meat production contributes to land degradation, waste pollution, and high resource use.

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    Industrial Fish Production Impacts

    Large-scale fish farming can destroy habitats, pollute coastal waters, and threaten fish biodiversity.

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    Increasing Food Production Options

    To meet rising food demand, we can potentially double cropland area, but this could lead to deforestation and cultivation of marginal lands.

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    Study Notes

    Food Resources

    • A nutritious diet is crucial for a healthy and productive life.
    • Approximately one billion people lack sufficient food.
    • Food production has significant environmental impacts.
      • Soil erosion is happening faster than soils can regenerate in many areas.
      • Biodiversity suffers from habitat loss for crops.
      • Irrigation depletes groundwater resources in certain regions.
      • Agricultural runoff contaminates surface water.
    • Soil provides essential nutrients for plants.
      • It's a complex mixture of eroded rock, minerals, decaying organic matter, water, air, and numerous tiny organisms.
      • Topsoil is a crucial resource supporting plant life but can be rapidly depleted.
    • Two natural processes—energy flow and chemical cycling—sustain Earth.
      • The Sun is the primary energy source, and it cannot be recycled.
      • Nutrients are continually recycled.
    • Types of organisms based on energy:
      • Producers (trees, plants, algae).
      • Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers).

    Types of Agriculture

    • Traditional subsistence agriculture: produces food for local consumption.
    • Traditional intensive agriculture: produces food for sale.
    • Monoculture: farming one single crop type.
    • Polyculture: farming multiple crop types.
    • Industrialized agriculture: using large-scale machinery.

    Importance of Soil

    • Soil contains eroded rock, mineral nutrients, and organic matter, along with water and billions of organisms.
    • Topsoil plays a direct role in supporting plant growth, but topsoil gets depleted quickly.

    What Natural Processes Sustain the Earth?

    • Energy flow: The sun is the energy source.
    • Chemical cycling: Nutrients required by living organisms.
    • Components are constantly recycled

    Protecting Crops from Pests

    • Natural systems have checks and balances (predators, parasites, disease organisms) in place to regulate pest populations.
    • Industrialized systems rely on pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides) for pest control.
    • Some pesticides are broad-spectrum (killing many pests), while others are narrow-spectrum (targeting specific pests).

    Meat, Fish, and Shellfish Production

    • Early livestock and fish methods involve cattle in pastures, chickens in yards, and fishing in oceans, rivers, and lakes.
    • Industrial systems include feedlots for animals (fed grains like corn), large fishing vessels, and aquaculture.

    Crossbreeding and Genetic Engineering

    • Early crop improvement relied on crossbreeding (artificial selection).
    • Genetic engineering uses direct DNA modification to create GMOs (genetically modified organisms).
    • Genetic engineering is faster but carries some controversy.

    Organic Agriculture

    • Organic agriculture avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms.
    • It favors natural pest control methods and uses no synthetic growth hormones or antibiotics.
    • Participation in organic farming is still low globally.

    What Are the Problems?

    • Food insecurity often stems from malnutrition (lack of key nutrients) due to factors like poverty, war, and environmental disasters (drought, land degradation).
    • Over-nutrition is also a concern; high rates of obesity and associated health issues (heart disease, stroke, diabetes) exist in some countries.

    Topsoil Erosion and Soil Degradation

    • Soil erosion is a serious problem, leading to lower food production as topsoil is lost faster than it can be replaced.
    • Desertification and soil salinization (salting) are significant soil degradation concerns.

    Overpumping of Groundwater

    • Aquifers are crucial underground water sources used for irrigation.
    • In some areas, in the United States, water is extracted from aquifers faster than they can be replenished.
    • This overpumping negatively affects environmental factors like streams and wetlands.

    Harmful Effects of Pesticides

    • Pesticides have widespread benefits, mainly in boosting crop yields.
    • Yet these can harm natural systems, becoming pollutants, affecting non-target species, killing helpful predators, allowing pests to develop resistance through time.
    • Effects on humans can be substantial, with over 3 million cases of human poisoning due to pesticides globally.

    Water and Air Pollution

    • Sediment from soil erosion contaminates water sources (smothers aquatic life).
    • Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers cause algae blooms, harming aquatic ecosystems.
    • Machinery emissions lead to air pollution.

    Potential Hazards of Genetic Engineering

    • Genetic engineering has the potential to increase food production.
    • However, mixing genes from different species might produce unintended or unpredictable consequences.

    Loss of Biodiversity

    • Loss of biodiversity is a potential threat to life and human food supply.
    • A large decrease in crop varieties has been experienced in recent human history.

    Impacts of Industrial Meat & Fish Production

    • Increased affluence leads to higher meat consumption and associated negative effects on the environment (land degradation, animal waste).
    • Industrial fish farming might cause issues like coastal habitat destruction and pollution of water systems.

    Reducing Soil Erosion

    • Improved soil conservation practices can help reduce soil erosion (terracing, contour planting/strip cropping, alley cropping/agroforestry, reduced tillage).

    Restoring Soil Fertility & Reducing Degradation

    • Soil conservation and restoration can involve using soil conditioners like compost and adding nutrients in some cases; preventive measures like limiting grazing and allowing vegetation to grow help improve soil health.

    Fighting Crop Pests

    • Using synthetic pesticides carries advantages and disadvantages. Other methods emphasizing ecological controls are also available; this includes integrated pest management (IPM), which uses a combined method of pest control.

    Making the Transition to More Sustainable Food Production

    • Organic farming methods may show better performance for the environment by reducing erosion, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions; however, organic yields are usually less than other methods.

    Genetically Modified Crops

    • Genetically modified (GM) crops could offer advantages like pest resilience, but may also impact wild populations causing problems with ecosystems and biodiversity.

    Polyculture

    • Polyculture, which involves growing multiple crops together, promotes sustainability, improves resilience to extremes, and makes use of water and nutrients more efficiently, among other benefits.

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