Environmental Issues that Impact the Sustainable Production of Food

Question 1

issues

Answer 1

Water use
Land use
Chemical use
Energy use
Waste disposal

Question 2

Water use

Answer 2

• Water is a scarce resource and lots of water used for crops is lost through evaporation and runoff
  
  • Irrigation is often on a scheduled basis even if its not needed resulting in the water table rising and brining with it salt
  • Salinity makes it difficult to grow plants and can also kill crops
    Most of the water used for cleaning food and equipment is not recycled

Question 2

Land use

Answer 2

• Is the term used to describe the human use of land
  
  • It represents the economic and cultural activities that are practiced at a given place
  • Although the nation is mostly arid, the Australia is a major agricultural producer and exporter
  • Farmers and grazers cover 61% of Australia’s landmass
  • Across the country there is irrigation and dry-land farming
  • Australia produces a large variety of primary products for export and domestic consumption
    ○ Cattle
    ○ Wheat
    ○ Dairy
    ○ Poultry
    Eggs

Question 3

Chemical use

Answer 3

• Too many pesticides can contaminate soil, making it unsuitable for crop growth
  
  • Can leach into the water table and contaminate groundwater
  • can be toxic to birds, fish, and bees which impacts the biodiversity
  • Residue left on produce could potentially have an effect on human health
    Contamination of nearby crops

Question 3

Energy use

Answer 3

• Greenhouse gases produced by heavy machinery
  Use of heating, lighting, and cooling of storage uses significant amounts of energy

Question 4

Waste disposal

Answer 4

• Lots of food goes to landfill and produces harmful gases that leaches into waterways and contaminates groundwater
  
  • Meat waste produces methane which is detrimental to the environment
    Packaging that isn’t biodegradable doesn’t break down

Question 5

strategies to manage water use

Answer 5

• Regularly testing for salinity
  
  • Using only just enough for maximum growth
  • Drip systems that are computerised
  • Enclosing open-channel systems to stop evaporation
  • Not watering unnecessary areas
    Capturing water run-off in dams and reusing

Question 6

strategies to manage land use

Answer 6

• Integrated land use planning
  ○ Comprehensive zoning
  ○ Land capability assessment
  
  • Sustainable farming practices
    ○ Conservation agriculture
    ○ Agroforestry
  • Water resource management
    ○ Efficient irrigation systems
    ○ Water recycling and rainwater harvesting
  • Land degradation prevention and restoration
    ○ Soil health management
    ○ Erosion control and reforestation

Question 7

strategies to manage chemical use

Answer 7

• Organic farming
  
  • Spray when winds are low to avoid contamination
  • Only spray when necessary
    If aerial spraying fly as low as possible

Question 7

strategies to manage energy use

Answer 7

• Adopt energy efficient technologies
  ○ Energy efficient equipment
  
  • Renewable energy integration
    ○ Solar and wind power

Question 8

strategies to manage waste disposal

Answer 8

• Compost waste from food production and use to rehabilitate the soil
  Recycling of water from run off to reuse on crops

Question 9

acronym

Answer 9

WELCW