Green Revolution
The shift from small, family-run farms to this.
What are large, industrial-scale/commercial agribusinesses?
Name a benefit of crop rotation
Decrease success of pests / diseases
Maintain soil nutrient profile
Name a benefit of aquaculture
Requires only small amount of water, space, & fuel
Reduces risk of fishery collapse
Produces large amounts of protein/nutrients year-round
Doesn’t take up any land space
These are the four common types of irrigation.
What are flood, furrow, drip, and spray?
The US loses topsoil this many times faster than it forms.
What is 10x?
A negative consequence of the Green Revolution.
What is soil erosion, biodiversity loss, ground & surface water contamination?
What is intercropping
2 plants grown next to each other that have a synergistic effect (they benefit each other)
This is a negative, environmental consequence of CAFO's.
Given antibiotics & growth hormones to prevent disease outbreak & speed meat production
Animals produce large volume of waste which can contaminate nearby surface or groundwater
Produces large amounts of CO2, CH4 (methane), and N2O (greenhouse gasses → climate change)
Benefits:
- Conservation of water
- Minimizes soil salinization
Drawbacks:
- Cost, in both money and labor
This type of crop does not need to be replanted every year
What are Perennial Crops?
Bt corn is an example of this.
What is a GMO?
Introducing a natural predator to a pest is called this
What is biocontrol?
Name a drawback of aquaculture
High-density → high conc. of waste (N, P, e. coli, antibiotics, & eutrophication risk)
Increased disease risk
Introduction of non-native species
Waterlogging, leading to roots being starved of oxygen, is caused by this method of irrigation
What is flood irrigation?
This uses trees or other plants to block the force of the wind from eroding topsoil.
What are windbreaks?
Excess nitrate and phosphate from this are washed off fields and into nearby waters where they cause eutrophication.
What are synthetic fertilizers?
Genetic resistance leads to stronger versions and is referred to as this.
What is a pesticide treadmill?
Fishery collapse is an example of this.
What is a tragedy of the commons?
This process causes a buildup of minerals toxic to plant growth in soil over time
What is salt salinization?
This is a benefit of both crop rotation and green manure from cover crops.
What is to increase soil nutrients?
This practice increases erosion by loosening topsoil and breaking up leftover root structure from harvest to make planting easier.
What is tilling?
This can occur when soil becomes compacted and cannot hold water; it is often the result of overgrazing.
What is desertification?
Fecal coliform bacteria (e. coli) can be found in large concentrations here.
What is a manure lagoon.
This is the result of excessive groundwater pumping near coastal areas.
What is saltwater intrusion?
This bedrock can be crushed and added to neutralize acidic soils.
What is limestone?