Unit 2. Introduction to Agriculture and the Ecosystem PDF

Unit 2. Introduction to Agriculture and the Ecosystem Prepared by: ANGEL ROSE C. TAMAYO Course Facilitator What is an ecosystem?  An ecosystem is defined as all the organisms (animals, plants, microbes) in a certain habitat, plus...

Unit 2. Introduction to Agriculture and the Ecosystem Prepared by: ANGEL ROSE C. TAMAYO Course Facilitator What is an ecosystem?  An ecosystem is defined as all the organisms (animals, plants, microbes) in a certain habitat, plus also the environment that they live in (such as the soil, a pond, or a mountainside).  Natural ecosystems- usually contain hundreds or thousands of species of organisms and are thus very complex in their functioning.  Agricultural ecosystem- (such as a corn field or an orchard) is relatively artificial, being modified and controlled by humans. It contains fewer species and thus is simpler in its functioning. Some ways a farm can be made to function in a more ecologically sound manner include:  1. Treat the soil as the valuable resource it is by improving its ability to grow healthy crops. Recycle manure, crop residues and/or compost. Avoid the use of strong fertilizers and toxic chemicals.  2.Encourage nearby natural ecosystems, such as grassy fence-row vegetation, field corners, and nearby meadows, woods and marshes.  3. Plant more than one crop species at once (or consecutively). Various cover crops and interplant crops can smother weeds and supply nutrients to other crops (as with legumes supplying nitrogen), and if tilled into the soil, cover crops can supply humus and nutrients to the soil. Crop rotations also provide similar benefits.  4. Diversify the farm by raising a variety of crops and animals. Not only can diversity protect against bad weather and volatile markets, but a variety of species is a closer approximation of a natural ecosystem than is a monoculture of one or two crops and no animals.  A wise farmer should be an applied ecologist, aware of the variety and functions of both wild and domesticated plants and animals, and especially aware of the importance of good, “healthy” soil. Don’t develop the profit-seeking, control-nature mindset that pervades high- tech agriculture. Be a steward of the land. Good practices in Sustaining agricultural ecosystems  1. Increased demand for food and non-food crops such as biofuels requires careful management of biodiversity and agricultural ecosystems to ensure environmental health.  2. Experience has demonstrated that agricultural management systems and environmental stewardship are investments by farmers.  3. Agricultural producers can conserve and manage biodiversity and ecosystem services by: Producing more output with less land. Establishing or maintaining wildlife habitats and diverse land cover on farms- these can provide a year round vegetative cover to protect soils and rainfall infiltration, natural management of agricultural inputs and wastes to minimize pollution, protection of plant communities along river margins and wetlands, networks of connected wildlife corridors, non-crop habitats such as hedges, beetle banks, cover and refuge for pollinators. Using farm management systems and stewardship approaches that improve ecosystem health. The Importance of Agriculture to Society  Quality of life is the general standard of living of a group of people. The term often relates to the people in a region or country. Quality of life includes the amount of money available and the ability to obtain goods and services.  Quality of life is associated with the availability of food, clothing, and housing. Agriculture has a major role in quality of life. An abundance of wholesome food products available at a reasonable cost contributes to a high quality of life. Role of Agriculture in Human Nutrition  Agriculture provides most of the food humans consume. This food furnishes nutrients that nourish the human body. A balance of food is needed to assure that the body is receiving the proper nutrients. The food also needs to be wholesome and free of disease, pollution, and other substances or organisms that cause illness.  Nutrients and Nutrition- A nutrient is a substance that promotes growth and well- being. Without proper nutrients, a person may become ill, fail to grow properly, or die. The obtaining of proper nutrients is known as nutrition. The foods consumed by an individual provide nutrients. The major nutrients needed by the human body 1. Proteins- are the nutrients needed for growth and repair of tissues in the body. They are especially important with babies, children, and teenagers, though all adults need some protein.  2. Carbohydrates- are the nutrients that provide energy for the body to move and carry out its functions. Carbohydrates are not as concentrated as fats. Carbohydrates are often divided into three categories: sugars, starches, and fiber.  3. Fats- are nutrients that contain high amounts of energy. They provide energy for the body to move and carry out life functions. (Fats are also known as lipids.) Sources of fats include meat, fish, and lard and vegetable oils. Most nutritionists recommend lower levels of fat intake to prevent health problems, such as obesity and clogged arteries.  4. Minerals- are inorganic elements, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium etc.,. Eating a variety of foods will likely provide sufficient minerals, though some people take mineral supplements. Milk, fruit, leafy vegetables, and meat are among the sources of minerals.  5. Vitamins- are inorganic substances needed in small amounts to perform specific functions in the body. Several kinds of vitamins are needed, such as A, B, C, D, E, and K. Sources of vitamins include fruits and vegetables.  6. Water is needed by the human body to regulate body temperature and promote processes in the body. Each person should consume the recommended amount of water each day. Nearly all agricultural products contain some water, but they are not the major source of water for the human body. Products Used for Food Animal Products  Animal products comprise an important source of food. The demand for animal products creates large and important areas of animal agriculture production. Meat, milk, and eggs are the three most important groups of animal food products.  1. Meat-is the flesh of an animal used for food. Muscle tissue is most important and most desired as meat. Meat is from several species of animals. Some meat is classified as red meat, and other as white meat. Red meat is from cattle, sheep (lamb and mutton), and hogs. White meat is from chickens, turkeys, and other birds. Fish and shellfish are also white meat, though most of the time they are listed separately from chickens and turkeys.  2. Milk - is the whitish liquid secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals. It is a food high in nutrients. Cow’s milk is by far the most widely consumed milk, though the milk of goats, sheep, and other species is sometimes used. The production of milk is known as dairy farming. Milk is pasteurized and otherwise processed to assure its quality.  3. Eggs. The primary eggs used for human consumption are those of chickens. Goose, duck, pea fowl, and other eggs may be used. Most eggs are infertile, meaning that they are not developing embryos. Eggs are graded and marketed to assure uniformity and wholesomeness. Plant Products  Worldwide, about 600 species of plants are used as sources of food. In the United States, far fewer are major sources of food. The parts of plants used for food include seeds, leaves, roots, fruits, flowers, stems, and sap or juice.  Wheat, corn, and rice are seeds and the major cereal grains used for food. Nuts, beans, coffee, and many other seeds are also used as food. Bread made from wheat serves as a major food for many people.  Leaves include those of cabbage, spinach, turnips, lettuce, and other leafy vegetable crops.  Roots include those of beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, and onions; some structures that grow on roots, such as potatoes, are also used as food. Sugar beets are a major source of sugar in the United States.  Many kinds of fruits are used for food. Citrus fruits include oranges, grapefruit, and lemons. Among other fruits used as food are apples, pears, blackberries, tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloups, watermelons, cucumbers, and pumpkins.  Fewer flowers are used for food than most of the other plant parts. Broccoli, cauliflower, and artichoke are three examples of flowers used for food. Some ornamental plants are also used as garnish to add appeal and color to food, including the pansy and nasturtium. Stems used for food include celery, asparagus, and rhubarb.  Stem portions- are sometimes included with the leafy foods, such as cabbage and spinach.  Juice- used as food may be extracted from other food sources—for example, tomato juice and orange juice. The juice of some plants is used for food, such as sap from sugar cane that is used to make sugar and syrup and sap from maple trees that is used for syrup. Products Used for Clothing  1. Wool and other hair like products—Wool is the fiber material that covers the bodies of sheep, camels, and a few other species. It is the most widely used animal fiber in the United States. With sheep, the wool is removed by shearing once a year and processed into woolen products. Mohair is the fiber covering Angora goats and is an important fiber for some uses. Cashmere and alpaca are variations of wool that have some use. Fur is the hairy coat of some species that is used while still attached to the hide.  2. Leather—is a product made by tanning the hides of some species, such as cattle. It is used for shoes, belts, protective clothing, and other purposes.  3. Silk—is the soft fiber produced by the silkworm. The fiber is made of the saliva of the silkworm moth as it constructs a cocoon. Silk is prized for making scarves, ties, and blouses and for blending with other fibers, such as wool.  4. Jewelry—Pearls, bones, and other animal products are used as accessories with human clothing. A pearl is created by a small grain of sand inside an oyster. The oyster secretes a substance to cover the grain or lessen the discomfort from it. The substance hardens creating a pearl. Pearls may be cultured or natural. Products Used for Human Shelter  Common wood products- include lumber, plywood, and composition board.  Lumber is made by sawing tree logs into boards of specified dimensions. Lumber is widely used to frame and trim houses and apartments. It is also used in making furniture and other products found in a home. Pine, spruce, fir, and a few other species are used in home construction.  Plywood is a product made by gluing large, thin sheets of wood together so that the grain of the wood is at right angles. This gives considerable strength to the product. Plywood is used in constructing floors, forming walls, and creating the base for nailing or otherwise attaching the roofing material.  Thank you and Keep safe everyone! “Look something positive in each day even if some days you have to look a little harder” -Anonymous-