A - Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Activities

Question 1

What is irrigation?

Answer 1

The addition of water to areas for crop growth.

Question 2

Where can water for irrigation come from?

Answer 2

Surface stores (lakes, dams, rivers) or groundwater.

Question 3

What are two types of irrigation?

Answer 3

Total flooding (e.g., paddy fields) and drip irrigation.

Question 4

How has irrigation affected the water table in Texas?

Answer 4

Reduced the water table by up to 50 meters.

Question 5

What impact has irrigation had on the Indus Plain in Pakistan?

Answer 5

Raised the water table by up to 6 meters and caused salinization.

Question 6

How does irrigation affect albedo?

Answer 6

Reduces albedo by up to 10% by replacing reflective surfaces with crops.

Question 7

What weather changes have been linked to irrigation in semi-arid areas?

Answer 7

Increased rainfall, hailstorms, and tornadoes.

Question 8

How does irrigation affect evapotranspiration in semi-arid areas?

Answer 8

Increases evapotranspiration, leading to more summer rainfall.

Question 9

What is salinization?

Answer 9

Accumulation of salts in soil due to irrigation.

Question 10

How does salinization occur?

Answer 10

Groundwater near the surface evaporates, leaving salts behind.

Question 11

What is eutrophication?

Answer 11

Nutrient enrichment of water bodies causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

Question 12

List one consequence of eutrophication.

Answer 12

Oxygen starvation and decline in species diversity.

Question 13

What are two nutrients linked to eutrophication?

Answer 13

Nitrogen (fertilizers) and phosphates (farm sewage).

Question 14

What is nutrient load up in the eutrophication process?

Answer 14

Excess nutrients washed into rivers or lakes by rainwater.

Question 15

How does irrigation contribute to salt concentration in soil?

Answer 15

Poor drainage and evaporation concentrate salts.

Question 16

How can irrigation raise groundwater levels?

Answer 16

Irrigation can bring groundwater levels close to the surface, causing salt buildup.

Question 17

What happens to oxygen levels during algal blooms?

Answer 17

Oxygen is depleted, impacting aquatic life.

Question 18

List one stakeholder in the eutrophication process.

Answer 18

Farmers, governments, chemical companies, health organizations, or consumers.

Question 19

Why might consumers be affected by eutrophication?

Answer 19

They may pay for making drinking water clean.

Question 20

What is a major environmental impact of oxygen depletion in water bodies?

Answer 20

Death of the ecosystem, where fish and organisms die.