Agriculture in Alberta
being able to grow food and fibre while keeping
our natural systems healthy for the long term.
sustainability
The extra heat and irrigation available in parts of southern Alberta enable farmers to grow _____ and other crops that cannot be grown elsewhere.
sunflowers
These help control the temperature for plants, but are designed to allow control of other growing conditions as well.
Greenhouses
What does diversity mean?
variety of plants and animals found in an ecosystem varies from one ecosystem to another.
This is Alberta’s provincial tree.
Lodgepole pine
A large area of aspen parkland, grassland, and boreal
forest in Alberta has been cultivated to grow this.
crops.
This is the most common forage crop. It has a strong taproot that penetrates deep into soil in search of water and nutrients.
Alfalfa
Using large_______ enables farmers to grow crops over a larger area.
farm machinery
This tree grows slowly and has heavy wood. It resists fungi and the decay they can cause, so it is useful for fence posts and railway ties.
Tamarack
This is well adapted to muskeg and poorly drained soils in western and northern Alberta.
Black spruce
One-third of the world’s people use this to make food.
wheat
The Parkland and Peace River regions of Alberta have cool, wet growing seasons and are ideally suited to growing high-protein legume crops such as
field peas,faba (or fava) beans, and lentils.
What is to water crops using a system of large pipes and sprinklers.
irrigate,
soil that is blown away by wind and water
erosion
This tree takes over from aspen and pine as forests develop and mature.
White spruce
This is the second most valuable Alberta crop.
Canola
Much of Alberta has a cool climate that is ideal for growing _______
potatoes
Most farmers grow their crops as a ________, only one type of plant in a field.
monoculture
In some areas of Europe and United States, high levels of agricultural chemicals in the water systems have caused serious ______.
pollution.
This tree is also known as “trembling aspen” because of the way its leaves seem to shake or tremble in a breeze.
Aspen
The third most valuable crop in Alberta is this
barley.
This is the most valuable vegetable crop and are worth over $55 million each year.
Potatoes
Machines called ______ are used to prepare and fertilize soil.
cultivators
This is a process in which the desert has taken over much of the agricultural land.
desertification
Its heavy, strong wood is used to make furniture and cabinets, and is also considered to be one of the best woods for firewood.
White birch