Unit 5

A period of increased agricultural productivity due to high-yield crops, synthetic fertilizers, and mechanization.

Growing a single crop over a large area; leads to soil nutrient depletion and increased vulnerability to pests.

A large-scale industrial livestock farm where animals are kept in high density and produce significant waste.

Excess nutrients lead to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and fish kills.

Directly modifying an organism’s DNA, unlike traditional selective breeding.

Protect farms from nuisance lawsuits but also make it difficult to regulate CAFOs.

A genetically modified rice variety engineered to contain vitamin A to combat malnutrition.

The unintentional capture of non-target species in fishing methods like trawling.

Farming practices that protect the environment, such as crop rotation and no-till farming.

Depletion of fish populations due to excessive harvesting.

The farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in controlled environments.

Absorbs excess nutrients, reduces ocean acidification, and provides habitat.

A virus that affects salmon’s heart function, making them weaker.

A highly contagious virus that is lethal to salmon populations.

A fishing method that uses a large net to encircle schools of fish.

Dragging nets along the seafloor, leading to habitat destruction and high bycatch.

Designated areas for sustainable fish farming to reduce pressure on wild stocks.

Prevents salmon from reproducing, disrupting ecosystem balance.

Major pollutants from CAFOs include ammonia and methane.

Overuse of antibiotics in livestock can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing health risks.

A sustainable approach to pest control that minimizes pesticide use by incorporating biological, physical, and chemical methods.

Crops planted to protect and enrich soil, preventing erosion and improving fertility.

Reduces soil erosion and improves water retention by avoiding plowing.

Bioaccumulation: Toxin buildup in an individual organism. Biomagnification: Increasing toxin concentration up the food chain.