F.2 Food systems and the spread of disease Flashcards
why is farming seen as system.
Farming can be described as a system because it consists of the merits of a system approach -inputs, stores, transpheres and outputs.
what are inputs?
Inputs are the materials (both human and physical) needed to operate the farming system. Human inputs include labor, capital, skills, technology etc. Physical inputs are ones provided by nature – land, water, soil, seeds, etc
what are processes?
Processes are the main activities that take place on the farm to convert the inputs into outputs. Processes in an agricultural system include transpheres and stores such as ploughing, weeding, sowing, harvesting, milking, etc
what are outputs?
Outputs are the products obtained after the inputs are processed in the farming system. They may include products (maize, cattle, meat) cash, manure, animal feeds, eggs, etc.(positive outputs).
Others include waste products such as polluted air, water, land etc, including soil erosion (negative outputs).
what is an energy efficent ratio?
Energy efficient ratio is a measure of the energy use efficiency.
which is the ratio of the energy OUTPUT (food energy) to the energy input (energy expenditure on food production)
what can the Energy efficient ratio be used as an indicator for?
how effeinlty energy is used to produce food.
or
how efficient food energy is converted into human health benefits.
what are some factors affecting energy efficiency Ratio in different environments?
Climate: Farms located in warm climates will need less energy than those in cold climates because colder ones need artificial light for crop growth.
Type of soil: Loamy soil requires less fertilizer. Sandy soil requires more fertilizer.
Type of crop cultivated: beans do not use a lot of nutrients. They fix nitrogen into the soil. Crops that produce protein require a lot of energy.
Relief/topography: When the land is relatively flat, it needs less energy, because it retains water and minerals easier.
Irrigation.
The type of farming system: labor intensive or capital intensive.
why energy effincey ratios vary within counties or regions?
the technology employed in agriculture (e.g. glasshouses are much less efficient than open-field farming);
methods of cultivation (generally, subsistence farming is more energy-efficient than commercial farming);
the precise crop(s) grown (e.g. growing peas has a higher energy ratio but its subsidies will be lower than growing wheat or maize);
the climate (energy ratios are often more efficient in warmer, wetter areas than in cooler, drier areas, because of differences in biological productivity);
what is a water footprint?
a water footprint is a measure of the total amount of freshwater used in the production of food, including the direct and indirect useless of water in agreculutral production.
what can a water foot print be used for?
a water foot print can be used to evaluate the sustainability of the food supply.
or
used to assess the impacts of food production on local water resources.
why is it key for individual and comaplys to be aware of a water foot print and how does it effect food consumption?
when a water foot print of a particular food product is understood, companies and individuals can make a informed decision about the types of of food they purchase and consume.
when an audience chooses to buy something or not, it changes the food production.
why in general is food consumption increases?
Food consumption per capita is increasing worldwide due to the growing number of people joining the new global middle class.
a human and physical reason why food consumption is changing is the lack of availability of food, that can be effected by both humans and physical. what are the two terms used to describe this?
FAD- food avalabitlty defedcite
FED- food entitlement deficit
what are the physical processes that have led to a decrease in food production and ultimately, food consumption?
a) climate change can cause a decrease in crop yields due to extreme weather events such as droughts or floods.
b) soil erosion- by degradation or climate change (desertification.) leads to a decrease in crop yield due to soil nutrient depletion, erosion and contamination.
Both these factors lead to a decaurse in food availability and in return, a because in food consumption.
what are the physical processes that have led to a Increase in food production and untirmatly, food consumption?
a)Increased amount of farmland through converting brownfield sites and waterlogged areas to farmlands and cultivating forested areas. This has led to an increase in the amount of farmlands in Africa, Asia and other parts of the developing world.
b) use of modern agricultural technology, such as precision agriculture and hydroponics, has allowed farmers to increase crop yields by optimising irrigation, fertilisation and pest control techniques.
what are some human factors that can lead to variation in food consumption?
cultural values- religion hindu and Muslim.
education leves- fast-food. food safety.
economic condition can effect avalablity and affordability.
government polices and regulations such as taxes and subsidies.