Agroecosystems

Question 1

Definition of agroecosystem

Answer 1

Human-modified ecosystem that supports food production
Used to produce food,fiber,fuel and other products for human consumption

Question 2

How does an agroecosystem differ from a natural ecosystem

Answer 2

Control the species that are present
Manipulation of biotic and abiotic conditions
Manipulate the species

Question 3

Examples of environmental which affect selection of food species

Answer 3

Oranges require high temperatures and high sunlight

Question 4

Examples of social which affect selection of food species

Answer 4

Avocado - increase in trends

Question 5

Examples of ethical which affect selection of food species

Answer 5

France - horses,snails and frogs

Question 6

Examples of technological which affect selection of food species

Answer 6

Water hungry crops - sugarcane

Question 7

Examples of economic which affect selection of food species

Answer 7

Coffee and avocados

Question 8

How do we manipulate food species to increase their suitability for cultivation,yield and saleability

Answer 8

selective breeding
cloning
artificial insemination
vaccines and antibiotics

Question 9

Define limiting factor

Answer 9

something that restricts the growth or population of organisms in an ecosystem e.g. food, water etc

Question 10

What is the different between abiotic and biotic factors

Answer 10

abiotic - non-living factors e.g temperature
biotic - living factors e.g disease

Question 11

Importance/negatives of disease

Answer 11

impact crop yield
impact livestock health
economic losses
loss of young
increased vet bills

Question 12

examples of control and manipulation of disease

Answer 12

integrated pest management strategies
- combines biological control methods with cultural practices
- selective breeding
- vaccines

Question 13

Importance/negatives of food

Answer 13

essential for nutrition
food security
economic benefits - jobs

Question 14

Examples of control and manipulations of food

Answer 14

genetically modified organisms
- farmers develop crops that are resistant to pest and diseases
- selective breeding

Question 15

Importance/negatives of pests/predators

Answer 15

affect crop yield
impact live stock health
damage plants
spread diseases

Question 16

Examples of control and manipulation of pests/predators

Answer 16

biological control
culling predators
pesticides
deterrents e.g scarecrows

Question 17

Importance/negatives of pollinators

Answer 17

reproduction of many crops
enhances fruit and seed production
contributes to biodiversity

Question 18

Examples of control and manipulation of pollinators

Answer 18

managed pollination
- beekeepers transport beehives during flowering periods of crops

Question 19

Importance/negatives of soil biota

Answer 19

includes variety of organisms
contributes to soil health
improves soil structure
promotes plant growth

Question 20

Examples of control and manipulation of soil biota

Answer 20

cover crops
- improve soil structure
- increases nutrient availability
crop rotation
- prevent buildup of pests

Question 21

Importance/negatives of temperature

Answer 21

plant growth - photosynthesis
influences pest and diseases
range of tolerance
enzymes denature

Question 22

Examples of control and manipulation of temperature

Answer 22

greenhouses
cover cropping
mulching
keep animals inside

Question 23

Importance/negatives of light

Answer 23

drives photosynthesis
plant growth
hormonal changes - ^ sun - ^ reproduction

Question 24

Examples of control and manipulation of light

Answer 24

reflective surfaces
LED’s
shade management
animals indoor

Question 25

Importance/negatives of water

Answer 25

nutrient absorption drives photosynthesis regulates soil temp

Question 26

Examples of control and manipulation of water

Answer 26

irrigation methods mulching drought-resistant crops drainage

Question 27

Importance/negatives of soil nutrients

Answer 27

plant growth for animals or plants improved yield nutrient are significant in processes

Question 28

Examples of control and manipulation of soil nutrients

Answer 28

crop rotation cover cropping fertilizers/manure

Question 29

Importance/negatives of soil air

Answer 29

provides oxygen - respiration maintain healthy root systems increase plant growth aerobic conditions - ^ bacteria

Question 30

Examples of control and manipulation of soil air

Answer 30

soil aeration cover cropping drainage management

Question 31

Importance/negatives of soil salinity

Answer 31

affect plant growth osmotic stress - hard to absorb water reduced nutrient uptake

Question 32

Importance/negatives of soil pH

Answer 32

affects nutrient availability impact plant growth impact effectiveness of fertilizers

Question 33

Examples of control and manipulation of soil pH

Answer 33

adding limestone - too acidic adding sulfur - too alkaline crop rotation

Question 34

Importance/negatives of CO2

Answer 34

key in photosynthesis increase crop yield limiting factor indoors e.g greenhouses

Question 35

Examples of control and manipulation of CO2

Answer 35

cover cropping carbon capture ventilation indoors burn fossil fuels

Question 36

Importance/negatives of wind velocity

Answer 36

affect pollination process impact rate of evaporation and transpiration impact water availability

Question 37

Examples of control and manipulation of wind velocity

Answer 37

windbreakers crop rotation mulching fencing

Question 38

Climatic features that determine/affect species cultivation

Answer 38

precipitation sunlight availability temperature soil type

Question 39

Geographical and biological factors that determine/affect species cultivation

Answer 39

Geographical: - altitude - latitude - topography Biological: - species interactions - pests and diseases - disease vectors

Question 40

Social factors that determine/affect species cultivation

Answer 40

cultural practices market demand religion government policies

Question 41

Economic and political factors that determine/affect species cultivation

Answer 41

cash crops market access land ownerships and rights

Question 42

Technological factors that determine/affect species cultivation

Answer 42

access to aquifers data management biotechnology