How humans affect food supply
What are insecticides and what do they do?
Insecticides are chemical or biological substances that are designed to kill or control insects.
What is an advantage of Monocultures?
They're efficient.
Name 1 Pro and Con of Agricultural Machinery
Pro: Improves efficiency
Cons (any one):expensive, contributes to soil compaction and fossil fuel use
What are monocultures?
The cultivation of a single crop in a given area.
What are chemical fertilizers made of?
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
What is intensive livestock production?
Intensive livestock production is a system of farming that aims to maximize profit by raising a high density of animals in confined spaces.
Give an example of selective breeding
Eg. Dog breeds
An example for intensive livestock production and explain why.
Beef, Chicken, etc. (big factory farms)
What's the difference between herbicides and insecticides?
Herbicides are pesticides designed to kill or control unwanted plants, whereas insecticides are pesticides created to specifically target and eliminate insect pests
What are the Pros and Cons of BOTH monocultures and intensive livestock farming
Monoculture pros: efficient
cons: Depletes soil nutrients. Vulnerable to pests/diseases spreading quickly. Reduces biodiversity.
ILF pros: Produces large quantities of meat, milk, eggs. Lower costs, efficient space use.
cons:
Poor animal welfare (crowding, limited movement)High risk of disease spread. Produces waste and pollution (slurry, methane).