2. farming practices and productivity
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food webs/ food chains show
how energy is transferred between organisms q
decomposers e.g. fungi
break down dead or undigested material
farming practices aim to
increase the amount of energy available for human consumption • reducing energy lost to other organisms e.g. pests • reducing energy lost through respiration
how farmers can reduce the numbers of pests using chemical pesticides
• insecticides (kill insect pests) = less biomass lost from crops = grow to be larger • herbicides (kill weeds) = remove direct competition with crop. could remove habitat / food source for pests
how farmers reduce the number of pests using biological agents
• parasites (live or lay eggs on a pest insect) = kill insect or reduce its ability to function • pathogenic bacteria and viruses (disease causing) = kill pests
how farmers reduce respiratory loss (so more is used for growth)
• restrict movement (as movement increases respiration) 2. indoors / kept warm (less wasted generating body heat)
benefits
more food can be produced in a shorter space of time at a lower cost
ethical issues
conditions can cause animals pain/ distress and restrict natural behaviour