3.1a Food supply Flashcards
What is food security?
the ability of human populations to access food of sufficient quality and quantity
What are the 3 components of food security?
- quantity
- quality
- access
What leads to a demand for increased food production?
increase in human population and concern for food security
What must food production be?
sustainable and not degrade the natural resources on which agriculture depends
What does agricultural production depend on?
factors that control photosynthesis and plant growth
- light availability
- available nutrients
- water in the soil
- competition with other plants
What is limited in agricultural production?
the area to grow crops
What will increased food production depend on?
factors that control plant growth
- breeding of higher yielding cultivars
- use of fertiliser
- protecting crops from pests, diseases and competition
What is all food production ultimately dependant on?
photosynthesis
What are 4 plant crop examples?
- cereals
- potato
- roots
- legumes
what characteristics do breeders seek to develop crops with?
- higher nutritional values
- resistance to pests and diseases
- physical characteristics suited to rearing and harvesting
- those which can thrive in particular environmental conditions
What is the difference between farming livestock and crops?
Livestock produce less food per unit area than crop plants due to loss of energy between trophic levels.
What is the advantage of farming livestock over crops?
Livestock production is often possible in habitats unsuitable for growing crops.
