Agriculture General pt2 Flashcards
How can livestock impact water quality?
Urine and feces contaminate water, and hard hooves cause riverbank erosion.
How does livestock grazing near water sources affect the environment?
It removes ground cover, increasing chemical and waste runoff into waterways.
How can fencing off livestock from waterways benefit farm productivity?
It improves water quality and increases overall farm productivity.
What happens when nutrient-rich pollutants enter waterways?
Oxygen levels deplete, causing native plants and animals to die and promoting eutrophication.
How does managing grazing rotations help the environment?
It reduces erosion and nutrient runoff, decreasing eutrophication risks.
How can wetlands help improve water quality?
Reeds filter out impurities from dirty water, leading to cleaner water.
Why should farms have an effluent storage plan?
To manage concentrated effluent areas (e.g., dairy) and prevent pollution.
How does ground cover help with effluent management?
It slows effluent movement, reducing pollution in catchment areas.
Why should stock be fenced off from waterways?
To prevent effluent from entering the water and causing contamination.
How do herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides affect water sources?
How do herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides affect water sources?
Why are chemical breakdowns in ecosystems concerning?
They can release toxic chemicals that harm local environments.
How can integrated pest management help?
It reduces the amount of chemicals entering waterways.
Where should pesticides not be applied?
Waterlogged, steep, or hard soils where runoff is likely.
What should be considered when applying pesticides near water?
Application methods and rates to avoid runoff.
What problem arises when water flows across cultivated fields?
Gully erosion, which increases sediment pollution in waterways.
Why is soil erosion a major issue?
It pollutes waterways and removes valuable topsoil.
How do grassed waterways help prevent soil erosion?
They slow runoff, capture soil, and prevent gully formation.
How do cover crops reduce soil erosion?
They minimize bare soil, reducing runoff and sediment loss.
What is the function of buffer strips?
They decrease the transportation of nutrients and chemicals into waterways.
How has removing vegetation near waterways impacted water quality?
It has increased water recharge and runoff of waste products.
What is riparian vegetation?
Native plants that grow alongside creeks, stabilizing banks and improving habitat.
How does riparian revegetation benefit waterways?
It prevents land degradation, erosion, and provides habitat for fauna.
What is the purpose of conservation riparian buffer zones?
They intercept pollutants and slow nutrient movement into waterways.
What impact do willow species have on watercourses?
They stabilize banks but reduce water flow and aeration, affecting ecosystem balance.
What are major upstream effects of a dam?
Creation of a reservoir and altered seasonal water flow.
How can dam releases impact native aquatic species?
They release clear, cold water, which can threaten aquatic life.
What negative effects can dam construction cause?
Erosion, sedimentation, and changes in hydrology, ecology, and economy.
Why is proper dam planning important?
To balance water supply needs while maintaining sustainability upstream and downstream.
What factors should be considered when building a dam?
Size, location, farm water needs, and evaporation losses.
How has irrigation contributed to salinity issues in Australia?
Removing deep-rooted plants led to rising salinity, reducing soil productivity.
What are the effects of high salinity on crops?
Water stress, leaf scorch, leaf fall, and decreased growth.
How can water waste be minimized during irrigation?
Irrigating at night, using drip irrigation, and fixing leaks.
What are key management practices for sustainable irrigation?
Keeping performance records, assessing soil water capacity, and minimizing losses.
How can reliance on external water sources be reduced?
Harvesting rainwater and using water meters to monitor usage.
