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Food Studies > (12) Environment and Ethics > Flashcards

(12) Environment and Ethics Flashcards

Chapter 12 Sustainable Primary Food Production

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1
Q

Describes a substance originally made from plant an animal matter that can be broken down

A

Biodegradable

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2
Q

Is the protection of people, animals and the environment from infectious diseases, pests and other biological threats

A

Biosecurity

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3
Q

Are widely used in agriculture to improve crop yields

A

Fertilisers

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4
Q

Is a change in the pattern of weather, and related changes in oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets, occurring over decades or longer

A

Climate change

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5
Q

Chemicals sprayed onto paddocks to kill weeds that compete for nutrients in the soil needed by food crops such as wheat, oats, rice and barley

A

Herbicides

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6
Q

Are chemicals that are sprayed onto crops to control particular pests such as grasshoppers so that they do not destroy the crop

A

Pesticides

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7
Q

Occurs if groundwater rises and reaches the surface and salt emerges through the topsoil

A

Salinity

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8
Q

Occurs when plants take up nutrients and release acidic waste from their roots

A

Soil acidification

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9
Q

Benefits of fertilisers

A

Widely used in agriculture (especially nitrogen based ones)

Necessary to improve the nutrient profile of farming lands

Fertilisers promote leaf growth, gives phosphorus to help roots, flowers and seeds and potassium to help the growth of strong stems

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10
Q

What is an intensive farming system

A

Crops re-planted in the same paddock each season

Soil cannot replenish nutrients that it loses naturally when crops grow.

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11
Q

Herbicides

A

Are biodegradable

Go through rigorous testing to make sure no residue is left on the food when harvesting

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12
Q

Concerns of herbicides

A

Imported herbicides that may contain dioxin (a chemical that is highly toxic to humans)

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13
Q

Pesticides

A

Produce food products with fewer blemishes by controlling particular pests such as grasshoppers

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14
Q

Concerns of pesticides

A

They have varying toxicity levels and must be used responsibly

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15
Q

Impact of agricultural chemicals (artificial fertilisers, herbicides & pesticides)

A

Can lead to soil acidification if not used properly

Can contaminate water-ways and groundwater supplies through nitrate run off

Can have a detrimental impact on biodiversity

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16
Q

Impact of chemical crop spraying on environmental sustainability

A

Aerial spraying has potential to drift onto non-targeted crops or land

Nitrogen released into the atmosphere is a major air pollutant which contributes to acid rain

Over half the nitrate sprayed is dissolved by rain and run off can contaminate rivers and groundwater (can impact sensitive ecosystems, contributing to the blue-green algae in rivers/streams/dams)

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17
Q

Aerial spraying

A

Most cost-effective way of covering broad-acre crops (e.g. wheat)

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18
Q

Soil acidification

A

Happens naturally as soil is weathered over millions of years

Nitrogen is necessary for nutrient balance in the soil, however excessive nitrogen cause soil acidification

Soil acidification can reduce the water holding capacity of the soil and contributes to soil erosion

19
Q

Approximately how much of Australian agricultural land is considered acidic

A

50%

20
Q

What has caused the increased rate of soil acidification in Australia

A

Nitrogenous fertilisers

21
Q

Surface water that has migrated from the surface through the ground and becomes stored in porous soils and rocks. Used for people’s drinking water in remote regions, to water crops and stock. Wetland, coastal mangroves, wild animals and birds also rely on this type of water for their survival

A

Groundwater

22
Q

How can groundwater be contaminated?

A

If nitrogen based fertilisers are used, they can leach onto the ground, dissolve in water and contaminate these groundwater supplies

23
Q

How do farmers use water in primary food production?

A

To water their orchards, vineyards, vegetable market gardens, in the production of rice, to produce pasture for dairy cows and sheep, and for drinking water for their animals

24
Q

Where do farmers get their water supply from?

A

Water comes from irrigation, groundwater supplies, river systems, dams or tanks on their farm or they use recycled water

25
Q

Types of irrigation for Australian primary food production

A

The natural landscape is changed, dams and channels are built and paddocks levelled to move water from natural water ways to agricultural production areas

26
Q

Why farm productivity is threatened by salinity

A

Plants will not grow in salty soil

27
Q

2 main causes of salinity

A

Dry land salinity

Irrigation salinity

28
Q

Caused by land clearing to plant crops. If deep rooted crops (that drink a lot of water) are taken out and replaced with seeds/shallow rooted plants then the water table will rise

A

Dry land salinity

29
Q

When groundwater rises because irrigation systems provide water too quick and drainage can’t handle it

A

Irrigation salinity

30
Q

How does salinity kill vegetation and crops?

A

As the water table reaches the surface, waterlogging occurs, salt and water emerge through the topsoil, causing salty crust which kills vegetation and crops

31
Q

Strategies to ensure environmental sustainability in water used for primary food production

A

Monitor water quality – test for salinity

Use only enough water for maximum growth (drip-irrigation systems)

Install sensors to monitor soil moisture and therefore determine amount of water needed.

32
Q

Farming considerations to ensure sustainable crop production

A

Soil health
Water availability
Production costs
Possible pests or diseases
Current market price

33
Q

Relies heavily on chemical fertilisers (nitrogen and phosphorus) to increase crops yields

Land clearing and use of chemical fertilisers has led to salinity and soil acidification

Grows best at or below 23ᵒ C

As a broad-acre crop, it relies on rainfall instead of irrigation

A

Wheat

34
Q

Alternative of wheat

A

GMO wheat

35
Q

Why GMO wheat may be a alternative solution?

A

Requires less water to grow

Drought, salt, and frost tolerant

36
Q

Relies heavily on water and uses flood irrigation

Grows in the summer months and farmers use a crop rotation system

Rice yield decreases as drought increases

Groundwater supplies can be used but can be contaminated

A

Rice

37
Q

Farming considerations for sustainable animal production

A

Reducing methane emissions

The density (how many) of grazing livestock in a paddock

How long the paddock needs to be kept free for vegetation to regenerate

38
Q

Solution for methane gas production in cows

A

Feed cattle food that is easier to digest and will emit less methane (e.g. salt bush, acacias and native grasses)

39
Q

Cattle production in Australia

A

Northern cattle (dairy)

Southern cattle (meat)

40
Q

Northern cattle (e.g. Brahman breed)

A

Are hardy, can survive the hot and dry climate due to their short thick coat; their thick hide is resistant to ticks and parasites; their dewlap (floppy neck) helps them keep cool

41
Q

Southern cattle (e.g. Aberdeen breed)

A

Higher quality meat (used for export) for all year round pastures

42
Q

Imported from South Africa in 1996

Low maintenance as they shed their fleece

Produced for their lamb meat

A very sustainable breed as they graze on a wide variety of pastures (e.g. saltbush (will survive drought)

A

Dorper sheep

43
Q

Why is goat production and sustainability considered as a replacement meat for sheep (lamb)?

A

They graze on plants, weeds and pests

Goats can tolerate hot, dry and drought conditions

Potential valuable export commodity in China, India and North America

Food Studies (7 decks)

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