Agricultural Exploitation

Question 1

What are the 4 effects of changes to farms.

Answer 1

1. Hedgerows removed
2. Monoculture
3. Declined yield
4. Overgrazing causing unsustainable grassland

Question 2

Explain what monoculture is and how it has damaged farmland.

Answer 2

Monoculture is where only one type of crop is grown in one field. It means that there’s only one habitat compared to many microhabitats of different crops.

Question 3

Explain why yield declines if the same crop is grown in the same place, year after year.

Answer 3

Roots are the same lengths, extract the same minerals from the same soil depth, so inorganic fertilisers are needed.
Some species are susceptible to the same pests so more insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are used.

Question 4

How does overgrazing cause grassland to become unsustainable?

Answer 4

Cattle hooves compact soil which drives out air and prevents water draining through. The roots can’t penetrate the soil so grass cannot grow.