Case Study:
Biofuels and Banana Chips: Food Crops vs. Fuel Crops:
1. Why do pig farmers have to feed their pigs “junk-food”? It's cheaper and works for pigs to be fatter quickly.
Agroecosystems
2: Explain how agroecosystems halt ecological succession. In order to keep the agroecosystem in an early-sucessional state. Most of the crops are in the ecological successional species, meaning that they grow faster and spread their seeds widely.
3: What is the problem with growing “monocultures”? Monocultures are one plant species rather than others. The large areas are planted with a single species or subspecies. But it makes the entire crop vulnerable to attack by a single disease or a single change in the environmental conditions.
4: Why does growing plants in neat rows and fields make it easier for pests? Since the crop plants have no place to hide.
5: How does plowing fields over and over damage the soils? Explain. Plowing exposes the soil to erosion and damages its physical structure, and since nothing in nature repeats and regulalry turns over the soil.
6: What are the other 2 ways that agrocultures are harmful to ecosystems? They lead to a decline in organic matter and loss of chemical elements.
The Plow Puzzle:
7: How much of the top soil in the U.S. has been lost since European settlement? Approx. 198 million acres
Can We Feed the World?
8: What percentage of the world’s land area is used for agriculture? Approx. 38 percent
How We Starve:
9: What is the difference between undernourishment and malnourishment? Undernourishment results from insufficient calories in available foods, so that one has little or no ability to work or even more and eventually dies form the lack of energy. While malnourishment results from the lack of specific chemical components of food, such as proteins, vitamins, or essential chemical elements.
10: Why does providing food aid to countries in need actually work against increased availability of locally grown food?Since the availability of locally grown foods avoids the disruptions in distributing and the need to transport food over long distances.
What We Grow on the Land:
11: Most of the world’s food is produced by only 14 species. List them below in order of importance:
Wheat
Rice
Soybeans
12: What is a forage crop? Grown as food for domestic animals.
13: Define the following:
Rangeland: Provides food for grazing and browsing animals without plowing and planting.
Pasture: Is plowed, planted, and harvested to provide forage for animals.
14: What impact does the number of livestock around the world have on rangeland and pasturelands?
15: Why are feedlots considered to be a big source of local pollution? They are over-crowded and are fed grain or forage that is transported to the feedlot.
16: What is a benefit of farming animals rather than crops? That land too poor for crops that people can eat can be excellent rangeland, with grasses and woody plants that domestic livestock can eat.
Soils
17: How does rainwater affect the soil horizon? Explain. Rainwater is slightly acid, because it has some form of carbon dioxide from the air dissolved in it, and this forms carbonic acid. When the rainwater moves down into the soil other nutritionally important elements are leached from the upper horizons.
18: What is soil fertility? How it is determined? Is the capacity of a soil to supply nutrients necessary for plant growth.
19: Why are soils in humid and tropical areas considered to be poor? What happens to them after deforestation? Soils in humid areas may be leached and relatively nutrient-poor due to the high rainfall. Nutrients may be cycled through the organic-rich upper horizons, making reforestation very difficult.
20: What is the problem with soils in semi-arid regions? They may swell when they get wet and shrink as they dry out, cracking roads, walls and buildings.
21: Why are coarse-grained soils more susceptible to erosion that soils that contain more clay? By water and wind. Having large spaces between the grains, so that water moves through them quickly.
22: Soil Horizons: Define each of the soil horizons.
Horizon O: Mostly made up of organic matter. Including decomposed and leaves with twigs. Is often black or brown.
Horizon A: Composed of both mineral and organic matter. Color is often light black to brown, leaching is the process of dissolving washing, or draining earth material by prelocation.
Horizon E: Composed of light-colored materials resulting from leaching of clay, calcium, magnesium and iron to lower horizons.
Horizon B: Enriched in clay, iron oxides, silica, carbonate and other materials leached from overlying horizons. Known as the zone of accumulation.
Horizon C: Composed of partially altered parent materials, may be stained red with iron oxides.
Horizon R: Unweathered parent material.
Biofuels and Banana Chips: Food Crops vs. Fuel Crops:
1. Why do pig farmers have to feed their pigs “junk-food”? It's cheaper and works for pigs to be fatter quickly.
Agroecosystems
2: Explain how agroecosystems halt ecological succession. In order to keep the agroecosystem in an early-sucessional state. Most of the crops are in the ecological successional species, meaning that they grow faster and spread their seeds widely.
3: What is the problem with growing “monocultures”? Monocultures are one plant species rather than others. The large areas are planted with a single species or subspecies. But it makes the entire crop vulnerable to attack by a single disease or a single change in the environmental conditions.
4: Why does growing plants in neat rows and fields make it easier for pests? Since the crop plants have no place to hide.
5: How does plowing fields over and over damage the soils? Explain. Plowing exposes the soil to erosion and damages its physical structure, and since nothing in nature repeats and regulalry turns over the soil.
6: What are the other 2 ways that agrocultures are harmful to ecosystems? They lead to a decline in organic matter and loss of chemical elements.
The Plow Puzzle:
7: How much of the top soil in the U.S. has been lost since European settlement? Approx. 198 million acres
Can We Feed the World?
8: What percentage of the world’s land area is used for agriculture? Approx. 38 percent
How We Starve:
9: What is the difference between undernourishment and malnourishment? Undernourishment results from insufficient calories in available foods, so that one has little or no ability to work or even more and eventually dies form the lack of energy. While malnourishment results from the lack of specific chemical components of food, such as proteins, vitamins, or essential chemical elements.
10: Why does providing food aid to countries in need actually work against increased availability of locally grown food?Since the availability of locally grown foods avoids the disruptions in distributing and the need to transport food over long distances.
What We Grow on the Land:
11: Most of the world’s food is produced by only 14 species. List them below in order of importance:
Wheat
Rice
Soybeans
12: What is a forage crop? Grown as food for domestic animals.
13: Define the following:
Rangeland: Provides food for grazing and browsing animals without plowing and planting.
Pasture: Is plowed, planted, and harvested to provide forage for animals.
14: What impact does the number of livestock around the world have on rangeland and pasturelands?
15: Why are feedlots considered to be a big source of local pollution? They are over-crowded and are fed grain or forage that is transported to the feedlot.
16: What is a benefit of farming animals rather than crops? That land too poor for crops that people can eat can be excellent rangeland, with grasses and woody plants that domestic livestock can eat.
Soils
17: How does rainwater affect the soil horizon? Explain. Rainwater is slightly acid, because it has some form of carbon dioxide from the air dissolved in it, and this forms carbonic acid. When the rainwater moves down into the soil other nutritionally important elements are leached from the upper horizons.
18: What is soil fertility? How it is determined? Is the capacity of a soil to supply nutrients necessary for plant growth.
19: Why are soils in humid and tropical areas considered to be poor? What happens to them after deforestation? Soils in humid areas may be leached and relatively nutrient-poor due to the high rainfall. Nutrients may be cycled through the organic-rich upper horizons, making reforestation very difficult.
20: What is the problem with soils in semi-arid regions? They may swell when they get wet and shrink as they dry out, cracking roads, walls and buildings.
21: Why are coarse-grained soils more susceptible to erosion that soils that contain more clay? By water and wind. Having large spaces between the grains, so that water moves through them quickly.
22: Soil Horizons: Define each of the soil horizons.
Horizon O: Mostly made up of organic matter. Including decomposed and leaves with twigs. Is often black or brown.
Horizon A: Composed of both mineral and organic matter. Color is often light black to brown, leaching is the process of dissolving washing, or draining earth material by prelocation.
Horizon E: Composed of light-colored materials resulting from leaching of clay, calcium, magnesium and iron to lower horizons.
Horizon B: Enriched in clay, iron oxides, silica, carbonate and other materials leached from overlying horizons. Known as the zone of accumulation.
Horizon C: Composed of partially altered parent materials, may be stained red with iron oxides.
Horizon R: Unweathered parent material.
Restoring Our Soils
23: What is the difference between organic and inorganic (artificial) fertilizers? Organic is produce in a way of non toxic to make it grow and inorganic is a fast produce which is use in many toxic to grow.
24: Define the following:
Macronutrient: A substance required in relatively large amounts by living organisms, in particular.
Micronutrient: A chemical element or substance required in trace amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms.
Limiting Factor: Factors are things that prevent a population from growing any larger.
Controlling Pests:
25: In the U.S, how much of the potential harvest is lost to pests? Some 20 to 40 percent of the world's potential crop is already lost.
26: What is the definition of a weed? A wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.
Pesticides:
27: What are the differences between inorganic and organic pesticides? Inorganic is being use of pesticide to kill the pest or disrupt pest which can also help the plant or vegetable to grow but Organic grow natural and their is no chemicals use to grow its crops.
28: What are some of the reasons why pesticides are considered to be ineffective? The reason why pesticide ins't effective because its a chemical and also can damage and poison us.
29: Define Integrated Pest Management (IPM) AND explain HOW it works: An effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.
30: What is the use of biological control and give an example: A component of an integrated pest management strategy.
For example:
An egg of parasitoid, European weevill, and Lady Beetie.
31: What was the “green revolution”? Genetically Modified Food: Biotechnology, Farming and Environment
32: What are the 3 practices of genetic engineering?
33: What are the PROS and CONS of developing hybrid crops?
Pros:
Cons:
34: What is the terminator gene and what does it do? A person or thing that terminates something.
35: What are the political and social concern with companies using seeds with terminator genes? The terminator genes is being debate if its safe for the farmer to use it to produce their crops.
36: How are GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) helpful? It's organize and labeled to help people to see the risk and concern of the food.
37: How can GMO’s be harmful? Recent studies about genetically - modified foods indicate that GMO's may cause harm to monarch butterfly caterpillars.
Aquaculture:
38: What is aquaculture and how can it be helpful? The rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation of aquatic plants for food.
39: What is mariculture? The cultivation of fish or other marine life for food.
40: How can aquaculture and mariculture harmful to the environment? They are harmful because they both work for foods which can caused a lot of damage in the marine life.
23: What is the difference between organic and inorganic (artificial) fertilizers? Organic is produce in a way of non toxic to make it grow and inorganic is a fast produce which is use in many toxic to grow.
24: Define the following:
Macronutrient: A substance required in relatively large amounts by living organisms, in particular.
Micronutrient: A chemical element or substance required in trace amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms.
Limiting Factor: Factors are things that prevent a population from growing any larger.
Controlling Pests:
25: In the U.S, how much of the potential harvest is lost to pests? Some 20 to 40 percent of the world's potential crop is already lost.
26: What is the definition of a weed? A wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.
Pesticides:
27: What are the differences between inorganic and organic pesticides? Inorganic is being use of pesticide to kill the pest or disrupt pest which can also help the plant or vegetable to grow but Organic grow natural and their is no chemicals use to grow its crops.
28: What are some of the reasons why pesticides are considered to be ineffective? The reason why pesticide ins't effective because its a chemical and also can damage and poison us.
29: Define Integrated Pest Management (IPM) AND explain HOW it works: An effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.
30: What is the use of biological control and give an example: A component of an integrated pest management strategy.
For example:
An egg of parasitoid, European weevill, and Lady Beetie.
31: What was the “green revolution”? Genetically Modified Food: Biotechnology, Farming and Environment
32: What are the 3 practices of genetic engineering?
33: What are the PROS and CONS of developing hybrid crops?
Pros:
- Farmers do not need to buy seeds, because they produce their own.
- With organic growing, soil improves every year.
- Farmers are healthy
- Vegetables are healthy
- Greater uniformity of crops.
Cons:
- Seeds cannot be saved.
- Organic yields are less than chemicals yields.
- Pesticides are used on crops, and health of farmers and consumers suffers.
- Seeds are usually coated with fungicide and pesticides.
- Bigger seeds require more nutrients, thus hybrids require more chemical fertilizer and more water.
34: What is the terminator gene and what does it do? A person or thing that terminates something.
35: What are the political and social concern with companies using seeds with terminator genes? The terminator genes is being debate if its safe for the farmer to use it to produce their crops.
36: How are GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) helpful? It's organize and labeled to help people to see the risk and concern of the food.
37: How can GMO’s be harmful? Recent studies about genetically - modified foods indicate that GMO's may cause harm to monarch butterfly caterpillars.
Aquaculture:
38: What is aquaculture and how can it be helpful? The rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation of aquatic plants for food.
39: What is mariculture? The cultivation of fish or other marine life for food.
40: How can aquaculture and mariculture harmful to the environment? They are harmful because they both work for foods which can caused a lot of damage in the marine life.
Critical Thinking Issue: Will There Be Enough Water to Produce Food for a Growing
Population?
1: How might dietary changes in developed countries affect water availability? Dietary changes can affect water availability by a huge amount of water for their crops.
2: How might global warming affect estimates of the amount of water needed to grow crops in
the 21st century?
As the climate warms, experts estimate drought conditions may increase by at least 66 percent.
3: Withdrawing water from aquifers faster than the replacement rate is sometimes referred to as
“mining water”. Why do you think this term is used?
I think this term is used because of the way it's being found.
4: Many countries in warm areas of the world are unable to raise enough food, such as wheat, to
supply their populations. Consequently, they import wheat and other grains. How is this
equivalent to importing water?
If we can import foods to places and I think we can also import water too.
5: Malthusians are those who believe that sooner or later, unless population growth is checked,
there will not be enough food for the world’s people. Anti-Malthusians believe that technology
will save the human race from a Malthusian fate. Analyze the issue of water supply for
agriculture from both points of view
Population?
1: How might dietary changes in developed countries affect water availability? Dietary changes can affect water availability by a huge amount of water for their crops.
2: How might global warming affect estimates of the amount of water needed to grow crops in
the 21st century?
As the climate warms, experts estimate drought conditions may increase by at least 66 percent.
3: Withdrawing water from aquifers faster than the replacement rate is sometimes referred to as
“mining water”. Why do you think this term is used?
I think this term is used because of the way it's being found.
4: Many countries in warm areas of the world are unable to raise enough food, such as wheat, to
supply their populations. Consequently, they import wheat and other grains. How is this
equivalent to importing water?
If we can import foods to places and I think we can also import water too.
5: Malthusians are those who believe that sooner or later, unless population growth is checked,
there will not be enough food for the world’s people. Anti-Malthusians believe that technology
will save the human race from a Malthusian fate. Analyze the issue of water supply for
agriculture from both points of view
Directions: Using the Soil Pyramid Program- Identify the Type of Soil with the Following
Percent Compositions:
Sand: 30
Clay: 30
Silt: 40
Answer: Sand
Sand: 45
Clay: 10
Silt: 45
Answer: Clay
Percent Compositions:
Sand: 30
Clay: 30
Silt: 40
Answer: Sand
Sand: 45
Clay: 10
Silt: 45
Answer: Clay
Directions: Determine the Type of Soils that are Characteristics of Each Specific of These
Terrestrial Biomes and List Why?
Tundra: A Tundra is a land with little to no shrubbery. Tundra soils occur in a cold environment with harsh winters
Taiga (Boreal Forest): The taiga is generally found in subarctic environments. It is a synonym for boreal or northern Evergreen forests. Spodosl is the order of soil most commonly associated with the taiga.
Temperate Broadleaf Deciduous: The most common type of soil in the temperate deciduous forest is brown soil. This is soil that is very fertile and nutrient rich. The decaying organic matter from fallen vegetation or dead animals makes the soil that much richer.
Mediterranean Scrub: The result is a very limited, but predictable, growing season when there is both sufficient soil moisture and adequately warm temperatures.
Temperate Grassland: Temperate grasslands have soils that are nutrient-rich from the growth and decay of deep, many-branched grass roots.
Scrubland: Calcification is the dominant soil-forming process, if indeed soil forming even occurs. There is poor development of horizons, with accumulation of calcium carbonate at or near the surface. Sparse vegetative cover and tiny leaves results in little humus and soils typically have a light gray color.
Tropical Rainforest: Oxisols, infertile, deeply weathered and severely leached, have developed on the ancient Gondwanan shields. Rapid bacterial decay prevents the accumulation of humus.
Tropical Savannah: Soils vary according to bedrock and edaphic conditions. In general, however, laterization is the dominant soil-forming process and low fertility oxisols can be expected.
Terrestrial Biomes and List Why?
Tundra: A Tundra is a land with little to no shrubbery. Tundra soils occur in a cold environment with harsh winters
Taiga (Boreal Forest): The taiga is generally found in subarctic environments. It is a synonym for boreal or northern Evergreen forests. Spodosl is the order of soil most commonly associated with the taiga.
Temperate Broadleaf Deciduous: The most common type of soil in the temperate deciduous forest is brown soil. This is soil that is very fertile and nutrient rich. The decaying organic matter from fallen vegetation or dead animals makes the soil that much richer.
Mediterranean Scrub: The result is a very limited, but predictable, growing season when there is both sufficient soil moisture and adequately warm temperatures.
Temperate Grassland: Temperate grasslands have soils that are nutrient-rich from the growth and decay of deep, many-branched grass roots.
Scrubland: Calcification is the dominant soil-forming process, if indeed soil forming even occurs. There is poor development of horizons, with accumulation of calcium carbonate at or near the surface. Sparse vegetative cover and tiny leaves results in little humus and soils typically have a light gray color.
Tropical Rainforest: Oxisols, infertile, deeply weathered and severely leached, have developed on the ancient Gondwanan shields. Rapid bacterial decay prevents the accumulation of humus.
Tropical Savannah: Soils vary according to bedrock and edaphic conditions. In general, however, laterization is the dominant soil-forming process and low fertility oxisols can be expected.
Directions: Define and describe each of the alternative methods to traditional soil tillage
Windbreaks: A thing, such as a row of trees or a fence, wall, or screen, that provides shelter or protection from the wind.
Cover Crops: A crop grown for the protection and enrichment of the soil.
Grassed Waterways: Broad, shallow and typically saucer-shaped channels designed to move surface water across farmland without causing soil erosion.
Contour Cultivation: Ploughing and/or planting across a slope following its elevation contour lines.
Strip Cropping: Cultivation in which different crops are sown in alternate strips to prevent soil erosion.
Forages: Search widely for food or provisions.
Conservation Tillage: Small grain residue on the surface during the critical soil erosion period.
No-Till: Farming provides good protection for the soil from erosion and helps retain moisture for the new crop.
Ridge Tillage: A type of soil conserving tillage in which the soil is formed into ridges and the seeds are planted on the tops of the ridges.
Windbreaks: A thing, such as a row of trees or a fence, wall, or screen, that provides shelter or protection from the wind.
Cover Crops: A crop grown for the protection and enrichment of the soil.
Grassed Waterways: Broad, shallow and typically saucer-shaped channels designed to move surface water across farmland without causing soil erosion.
Contour Cultivation: Ploughing and/or planting across a slope following its elevation contour lines.
Strip Cropping: Cultivation in which different crops are sown in alternate strips to prevent soil erosion.
Forages: Search widely for food or provisions.
Conservation Tillage: Small grain residue on the surface during the critical soil erosion period.
No-Till: Farming provides good protection for the soil from erosion and helps retain moisture for the new crop.
Ridge Tillage: A type of soil conserving tillage in which the soil is formed into ridges and the seeds are planted on the tops of the ridges.
