Agroecosystems Flashcards
Definition of agroecosystem
Human-modified ecosystem that supports food production
Used to produce food,fiber,fuel and other products for human consumption
How does an agroecosystem differ from a natural ecosystem
Control the species that are present
Manipulation of biotic and abiotic conditions
Manipulate the species
Examples of environmental which affect selection of food species
Oranges require high temperatures and high sunlight
Examples of social which affect selection of food species
Avocado - increase in trends
Examples of ethical which affect selection of food species
France - horses,snails and frogs
Examples of technological which affect selection of food species
Water hungry crops - sugarcane
Examples of economic which affect selection of food species
Coffee and avocados
How do we manipulate food species to increase their suitability for cultivation,yield and saleability
selective breeding
cloning
artificial insemination
vaccines and antibiotics
Define limiting factor
something that restricts the growth or population of organisms in an ecosystem e.g. food, water etc
What is the different between abiotic and biotic factors
abiotic - non-living factors e.g temperature
biotic - living factors e.g disease
Importance/negatives of disease
impact crop yield
impact livestock health
economic losses
loss of young
increased vet bills
examples of control and manipulation of disease
integrated pest management strategies
- combines biological control methods with cultural practices
- selective breeding
- vaccines
Importance/negatives of food
essential for nutrition
food security
economic benefits - jobs
Examples of control and manipulations of food
genetically modified organisms
- farmers develop crops that are resistant to pest and diseases
- selective breeding
Importance/negatives of pests/predators
affect crop yield
impact live stock health
damage plants
spread diseases
Examples of control and manipulation of pests/predators
biological control
culling predators
pesticides
deterrents e.g scarecrows
Importance/negatives of pollinators
reproduction of many crops
enhances fruit and seed production
contributes to biodiversity
Examples of control and manipulation of pollinators
managed pollination
- beekeepers transport beehives during flowering periods of crops
Importance/negatives of soil biota
includes variety of organisms
contributes to soil health
improves soil structure
promotes plant growth
Examples of control and manipulation of soil biota
cover crops
- improve soil structure
- increases nutrient availability
crop rotation
- prevent buildup of pests
Importance/negatives of temperature
plant growth - photosynthesis
influences pest and diseases
range of tolerance
enzymes denature
Examples of control and manipulation of temperature
greenhouses
cover cropping
mulching
keep animals inside
Importance/negatives of light
drives photosynthesis
plant growth
hormonal changes - ^ sun - ^ reproduction
Examples of control and manipulation of light
reflective surfaces
LED’s
shade management
animals indoor
Importance/negatives of water
nutrient absorption
drives photosynthesis
regulates soil temp
Examples of control and manipulation of water
irrigation methods
mulching
drought-resistant crops
drainage
Importance/negatives of soil nutrients
plant growth for animals or plants
improved yield
nutrient are significant in processes
Examples of control and manipulation of soil nutrients
crop rotation
cover cropping
fertilizers/manure
Importance/negatives of soil air
provides oxygen - respiration
maintain healthy root systems
increase plant growth
aerobic conditions - ^ bacteria
Examples of control and manipulation of soil air
soil aeration
cover cropping
drainage management
Importance/negatives of soil salinity
affect plant growth
osmotic stress - hard to absorb water
reduced nutrient uptake
Importance/negatives of soil pH
affects nutrient availability
impact plant growth
impact effectiveness of fertilizers
Examples of control and manipulation of soil pH
adding limestone - too acidic
adding sulfur - too alkaline
crop rotation
Importance/negatives of CO2
key in photosynthesis
increase crop yield
limiting factor indoors e.g greenhouses
Examples of control and manipulation of CO2
cover cropping
carbon capture
ventilation indoors
burn fossil fuels
Importance/negatives of wind velocity
affect pollination process
impact rate of evaporation and transpiration
impact water availability
Examples of control and manipulation of wind velocity
windbreakers
crop rotation
mulching
fencing
Climatic features that determine/affect species cultivation
precipitation
sunlight availability
temperature
soil type
Geographical and biological factors that determine/affect species cultivation
Geographical:
- altitude
- latitude
- topography
Biological:
- species interactions
- pests and diseases
- disease vectors
Social factors that determine/affect species cultivation
cultural practices
market demand
religion
government policies
Economic and political factors that determine/affect species cultivation
cash crops
market access
land ownerships and rights
Technological factors that determine/affect species cultivation
access to aquifers
data management
biotechnology
