Soil Science and Food Waste Overview

Questions and Answers

What percentage of food produced worldwide is never eaten?

10-20%

30-50% (correct)

80-90%

50-70%

What is a soil profile?

A vertical layering chart that shows the different layers of the soil.

List five components of soil.

Water, organisms, organic matter, minerals, nutrients.

Fertile soil is renewable.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are three particles found in soil?

Sand, silt, clay. Signup and view all the answers

List five functions of soil.

Plant growth, habitat, water storage, water purifier, decomposition. Signup and view all the answers

Outline the issues involved in the imbalance in global food supply.

Overpopulation, overproduction, food price increase, investment in cash crops. Signup and view all the answers

How does food waste differ between LEDCs and MEDCs?

MEDCs waste food through overproduction and aesthetic standards, while LEDCs have waste due to inadequate farmland and poor transport. Signup and view all the answers

What are strategies to increase sustainability in food-production systems?

Buffer zones, less meat consumption, local organic farming, maintenance by government, knowledge of food labels. Signup and view all the answers

Why might subsistence farming be more sustainable than commercial farming?

Subsistence farming meets a family's needs while commercial farming focuses on mass production. Signup and view all the answers

Describe one measure to reduce wind erosion.

Wind barriers. Signup and view all the answers

List five measures to prevent soil erosion.

Avoid marginal land, revegetation, crop management, measures to stop gully enlargement, measures to stop bank erosion. Signup and view all the answers

List five environmental impacts of food production systems.

Desertification, soil degradation, eutrophication, salinization, pollution. Signup and view all the answers

Why is loam the best type of soil for growing crops?

It has a medium infiltration rate, water-holding capacity, nutrient status, aeration, and ease of working. Signup and view all the answers

List three characteristics of agribusiness.

Large-scale monoculture, intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, mechanized ploughing and harvesting. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Food Waste

30-50% of global food production is wasted due to poor agricultural practices, inadequate transportation, and storage facilities.
Strict sell-by dates contribute to food waste in supermarkets.

Soil Profile

A soil profile illustrates vertical layers of soil, each with distinct components:
- O Horizon: Contains undecomposed litter and organic matter.
- A Horizon: Mixed minerals, humus, and ploughed layer in fields.
- E Horizon: Eluvial layer where leaching occurs, often ash-colored.
- B Horizon: Illuvial layer that accumulates iron, clay, and humus.
- C Horizon: Parent material, includes rock and unconsolidated materials.

Soil Components

Key components of soil include water, organisms, organic matter, minerals, nutrients, and air.

Soil Fertility

Fertile soil is non-renewable; natural fertilization can take hundreds of years without human intervention.

Soil Particles

Three primary soil particles are sand, silt, and clay.

Global Food Supply Issues

Overpopulation leads to excessive food waste, while overproduction occurs when food exceeds demand.
Rising food prices can make food unaffordable for poorer populations.
Low Economic Development Countries (LEDCs) may prioritize cash crops over food for local populations.

Food Waste in LEDCs vs MEDCs

More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) waste food due to overproduction, aesthetic standards, and oversupply.
LEDCs experience accidental waste from inadequate farmland and poor transportation methods, leading to spoilage.

Sustainability in Food Production

Implement buffer zones for biodiversity support.
Encourage reduced meat consumption to conserve land used for crops.
Promote organic local farming to eliminate pesticide use and maintain soil fertility.
Government oversight is vital to adapt food production to climate changes.
Knowledge of food labels helps consumers make healthier choices.

Subsistence vs. Commercial Farming

Subsistence farming emphasizes producing food for personal consumption, making it more sustainable than commercial farming which focuses on mass production for larger markets.

Reducing Wind Erosion

Wind barriers are effective long-term measures to mitigate wind erosion.

Preventing Soil Erosion

Avoid farming on marginal land to prevent degradation.
Implement revegetation strategies and maintain crop cover during critical periods.
Utilize structures like weirs and gabions to control gulley and bank erosion.

Environmental Impacts of Food Production

Food production systems can lead to desertification, soil degradation, eutrophication, salinization, and pollution from agricultural chemicals.

Loam Soil

Loam is optimal for crop growth due to its balanced infiltration rate, water retention, nutrient content, and aeration.

Characteristics of Agribusiness

Agribusiness typically involves large-scale monoculture, heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides, and mechanized farming techniques.

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Description

This quiz explores the critical aspects of soil science and the impact of food waste on global production. Topics covered include the soil profile, components of soil, and the factors contributing to food waste. Test your knowledge on these important environmental issues!