All Flashcards
Why is agriculture a major driver of environmental change?
It involves large-scale land use, resource consumption, and pollution.
Why is slash and burn agriculture not sustainable?
It leads to deforestation, soil erosion, and air pollution.
What is the purpose of tilling?
To improve soil aeration and make it easier for roots to grow.
Why is soil erosion a major environmental concern?
It leads to loss of fertile topsoil, sedimentation in waterways, and land degradation.
Explain the difference between synthetic and organic fertilizers.
Synthetic fertilizers are made industrially, while organic fertilizers are derived from natural sources.
What is pesticide resistance?
Pests evolve to withstand pesticides, requiring stronger applications.
Why are dead zones a concern?
They lead to the death of aquatic life due to oxygen depletion.
What is integrated pest management (IPM)?
A combination of methods to control pests while minimizing pesticide use.
Why is crop rotation beneficial?
Helps maintain soil fertility and reduces pest problems.
What is the importance of sustainable agriculture?
To minimize environmental harm while ensuring food production.
What are the steps of eutrophication?
Excess nutrients runoff, algal blooms occur, algae die and decompose, oxygen depletion, aquatic life dies.
How does pesticide resistance develop?
Initial pesticide application, some pests survive, survivors reproduce, subsequent applications less effective, resistance spreads.
Why is agriculture a major driver of environmental change?
It requires land clearing, water use, and often involves the use of chemicals, all of which can significantly impact ecosystems.
What makes slash and burn agriculture unsustainable?
It leads to deforestation, soil erosion, and air pollution, depleting resources and damaging ecosystems.
Why is soil erosion a major environmental concern?
It leads to loss of fertile topsoil, sedimentation in waterways, and reduced agricultural productivity.
What is eutrophication?
Excess nutrients from fertilizers run off into water bodies, causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
What are dead zones?
Areas in water bodies where oxygen levels are so low that aquatic life cannot survive, often caused by eutrophication.
What is pesticide resistance?
The ability of pests to survive exposure to pesticides, requiring stronger or more frequent applications.
What is biomagnification?
The process by which toxins become more concentrated as they move up the food chain.
Why are synthetic fertilizers concerning?
They can lead to eutrophication, water contamination, and soil degradation due to their high concentration of nutrients and potential for runoff.
Why is biodiversity important in agricultural ecosystems?
It supports ecosystem services like pollination, pest control, and nutrient cycling, making the system more resilient.
What is the goal of sustainable agriculture?
To produce food in a way that minimizes environmental harm, protects natural resources, and ensures long-term productivity.