All Flashcards
What are the environmental consequences of slash and burn agriculture?
Deforestation, habitat loss, soil erosion, air pollution (greenhouse gases and particulate matter).
What are the environmental consequences of tilling?
Soil erosion, loss of nutrients, disrupted soil microbes, sedimentation in waterways.
What are the environmental consequences of fertilizer use?
Eutrophication, dead zones, water contamination (nitrates in groundwater).
What are the environmental consequences of pesticide use?
Harm to non-target species, pesticide resistance, human health issues (cancer, birth defects, neurological problems), biomagnification.
What is the effect of soil erosion on water quality?
Increased sedimentation, which can cloud water, harm aquatic habitats, and carry pollutants.
What is the effect of deforestation on climate change?
Reduced carbon sequestration, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and altered regional weather patterns.
What is the effect of pesticide runoff on aquatic ecosystems?
Harm to aquatic organisms, disruption of food webs, and potential for biomagnification of toxins.
What is the effect of fertilizer runoff on drinking water sources?
Contamination with nitrates, which can pose health risks, especially to infants.
What is the effect of intensive agriculture on soil health?
Depletion of nutrients, loss of organic matter, reduced water infiltration, and increased susceptibility to erosion.
What is the effect of monoculture farming on pest populations?
Increased susceptibility to pest outbreaks due to the lack of biodiversity and concentrated food source.
What is slash and burn agriculture?
Cutting down vegetation and burning it to clear land for farming.
What is tilling?
Turning over the soil to prepare it for planting.
What are fertilizers?
Substances used to add nutrients to the soil, promoting plant growth.
What are pesticides?
Substances used to kill pests, including insects, weeds, and rodents.
What are herbicides?
Pesticides that kill plants (weeds).
What are insecticides?
Pesticides that kill insects.
What are rodenticides?
Pesticides that kill rodents.
What is no-till farming?
An agricultural technique that reduces soil erosion and improves soil health by not plowing the land.
What is crop rotation?
The practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same plot of land to improve soil health and reduce pest problems.
What is integrated pest management (IPM)?
A combination of methods to control pests while minimizing the use of pesticides.
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.