agriculture
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what are the problems that agriculture has to meet
the increasing demand for food due to population growth above the natural carrying capacity the energy transfer is too inefficient at higher trophic levels
what does sustainable agriculture look like
to meets demand without harming future production its learns from past land degradation
key features of land degradation
soil erosion, loss of nutrients, reduced water availability, loss of biodiversity
what is the problem with pest control
they harm other species, pests can grow a resistance to it, an overuse of chemical pollution
what are the solutions to the problems with pest control
crop rotation biological control predator habitats polyculture decrease the amount of antibiotics used
what is the problem with nutrient supplies
not renewable
what are the solutions to the problems with nutrient supplies
recycling organic matter crop rotation plant legumes to conserve soil biota
what is the problem with energy inputs
fertilisers require fossil fuels
what are the solutions to the problems with energy inputs
reduce nitrate use, food miles and tillage
what is the problem with water supplies
overextraction soil salination
what are the solutions to the problems with water supplies
low water-use crops organic matter maintenance drip irrigation reservoirs + aquifer recharge
what is the problem with carbon dioxide emissions
loss of organic matter - increase CO2 fossil fuel use in machinery and fertiliser
what are the solutions to the problems with CO2 emissions
low tillage farming decrease machinery use use renewable energy
what is the problem with methane releases
anaerobic respiration - rice paddies livestock digestion
what are the solutions to the problems with methane releases
rice varieties dietary changes reduced food waste
what is the problem with wildlife biodiversity
loss of species that: pollinate pest control nutrient cycling
what are the solutions to the problems with wildlife biodiversity
protect hedges, ponds, and woodlands maintain soil biota
agricultural grants - why are they given grants
so farmers can afford to invest in experiments and new methods. they are given for different things like hedgerow removal, machinery, drainage, improved livestock or liming to neutralise acidic soils. Also to increase productivity
a guaranteed market for agriculture - why is it necessary
a price support system means if yields were so high that the market price wont drop like before
a guaranteed market for agriculture - who is it
government buys some of the harvest - some stored but not all
agri-environmental schemes
hedgerows (height, no cuts, no fertiliser) Ditches (no cultivation) Dry stone wall protection Conservation in field trees Beetle bank Livestock density control Planting selection Protected nesting sots Woodland management
what determines farm locatin
soil type climate weather length of growing season
an example of different farm locations for certain crops - potatoes
UK - NW where it is wetter and colder
an example of different farm locations for certain crops - Tomatoes and Maize
UK - SW where it is wetter and hotter