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What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

A sustainable approach to pest control using a mix of strategies to minimize harm to the environment and human health.

All Flashcards

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
A sustainable approach to pest control using a mix of strategies to minimize harm to the environment and human health.
Define 'natural predators' in IPM.
Using a pest's natural enemies to control their populations.
What is 'crop rotation'?
Changing the crops grown in a field each season to disrupt pest life cycles.
Define 'intercropping'.
Growing multiple crops together to increase biodiversity and confuse pests.
What are 'biological controls'?
Introducing beneficial organisms to control pests.
What are 'chemical controls' in pest management?
Using pesticides judiciously and as a last resort to manage pests.
What are 'physical controls' in pest management?
Using barriers and traps to prevent pest access.
Define 'cultural control'.
Using techniques like crop rotation or intercropping to disrupt pest life cycles.
What is a 'broad-spectrum pesticide'?
A pesticide that kills a wide variety of pests, including beneficial insects.
What are 'beneficial insects'?
Natural predators or parasites used to control pests.
What are the consequences of relying solely on chemical pesticides?
Development of pesticide resistance, harm to non-target organisms, soil and water pollution, and disruption of natural pest control mechanisms.
How does increased biodiversity affect pest outbreaks?
Increased biodiversity leads to more stable ecosystems that are less susceptible to pest outbreaks due to a variety of natural predators.
What is the effect of intercropping on pest populations?
Intercropping confuses pests, reduces their ability to find host plants, and provides habitat for beneficial insects, leading to reduced pest populations.
What are the effects of pesticide use on human health?
Pesticide exposure can lead to acute poisoning, chronic health problems (e.g., cancer, neurological disorders), and endocrine disruption.
How does climate change affect pest management?
Climate change can alter pest distribution, increase pest reproduction rates, and disrupt the effectiveness of traditional control methods.
What are the environmental consequences of soil degradation from conventional agriculture?
Soil degradation reduces soil fertility, increases erosion, decreases water infiltration, and reduces carbon sequestration, leading to decreased agricultural productivity and environmental damage.
How does the loss of natural habitats affect pest control?
Loss of natural habitats reduces the populations of natural predators and beneficial insects, increasing the reliance on chemical pesticides and disrupting natural pest control mechanisms.
What is the impact of pesticide runoff on aquatic ecosystems?
Pesticide runoff contaminates water sources, harms aquatic organisms, disrupts food webs, and can lead to bioaccumulation and biomagnification of pesticides in higher trophic levels.
How does overuse of fertilizers affect pest outbreaks?
Overuse of fertilizers can create imbalances in plant nutrition, making plants more susceptible to pest attacks and increasing pest reproduction rates.
What are the long-term effects of pesticide resistance in pest populations?
Pesticide resistance reduces the effectiveness of chemical controls, leading to increased pesticide use, higher costs for farmers, and greater environmental impacts.
What is the effect of reducing reliance on chemical pesticides?
It helps protect soil health, water quality, and biodiversity.
What is the effect of increased biodiversity in agriculture?
More stable ecosystems that are less susceptible to pest outbreaks.
What is the effect of using broad-spectrum pesticides?
Harm to non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, and potential disruption of ecosystems.
What is the effect of persistent pest infestations on crops?
Significant crop losses and economic impact on farmers.
What is the effect of implementing an IPM strategy?
Reduced pesticide use, protection of biodiversity, and sustainable crop yields.
What is the effect of monoculture farming on pest populations?
Increased vulnerability to pest outbreaks due to lack of biodiversity.
What is the effect of climate change on pest distribution?
Altered pest ranges and increased pest pressure in new areas.
What is the effect of introducing non-native species for biological control?
Potential disruption of native ecosystems and unintended consequences.
What is the effect of pesticide resistance in pest populations?
Decreased effectiveness of chemical controls and increased reliance on alternative methods.
What is the effect of soil degradation on pest management?
Weakened plant defenses and increased susceptibility to pest infestations.