10 Questions
Michoacán is the only place on earth that grows ______ year-round.
avocados
Introducing homogeneous, high-yielding plant varieties leads growers to abandon native ______.
crops
Monoculture also can drive ______.
deforestation
Avocado trees consume four to five times more ______ than Michoacán’s native pines.
water
Mexican officials estimate that avocado production spurred the clearance of 2,900 to 24,700 acres of ______ per year from 2010 through 2020.
forests
What unique combination of factors in Michoacán allows for year-round avocado production?
Temperate climate, abundant rainfall, and deep, porous volcanic soils rich in potassium
What are the consequences of introducing high-yielding plant varieties in Michoacán's agricultural landscape?
Abandonment of native crops, increased vulnerability to pest infestations, reduced food options, and soil erosion
How does avocado production impact the region's water resources?
Avocado trees consume 4-5 times more water than native pines, jeopardizing human consumption
What is the estimated annual rate of forest clearance in Michoacán due to avocado production?
2,900 to 24,700 acres per year from 2010 through 2020
What is the environmental consequence of monoculture practices in Michoacán's agricultural sector?
Reduced ecosystem resilience, increased agrochemical use, and soil degradation
Study Notes
Avocado Production in Michoacán
- Michoacán is the only place that grows avocados year-round due to its temperate climate, abundant rainfall, and deep, porous volcanic soils rich in potassium.
Environmental Impact of Avocado Monoculture
- Monocultures are never environmentally sustainable, leading to the abandonment of native crops and increased vulnerability to threats like pest infestations and reduced food options.
- Avocado monoculture erodes fertile soils and increases the use of agrochemicals.
- It also drives deforestation, with an estimated 2,900 to 24,700 acres of forests cleared per year from 2010 to 2020 in Mexico.
Water Resource Intensive
- Avocado trees consume four to five times more water than Michoacán's native pines, jeopardizing water resources for human consumption.
Avocado Production in Michoacán
- Michoacán is the only place that grows avocados year-round due to its temperate climate, abundant rainfall, and deep, porous volcanic soils rich in potassium.
Environmental Impact of Avocado Monoculture
- Monocultures are never environmentally sustainable, leading to the abandonment of native crops and increased vulnerability to threats like pest infestations and reduced food options.
- Avocado monoculture erodes fertile soils and increases the use of agrochemicals.
- It also drives deforestation, with an estimated 2,900 to 24,700 acres of forests cleared per year from 2010 to 2020 in Mexico.
Water Resource Intensive
- Avocado trees consume four to five times more water than Michoacán's native pines, jeopardizing water resources for human consumption.
This quiz explores the avocado production in Michoacán, its ideal climate conditions, and the environmental consequences of avocado monoculture.
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