final Flashcards
What is Judson Christopherson’s academic background, and what research is he currently involved in as a second-year M.Sc. student?
Judson Christopherson completed an Agribusiness degree at Usask. As a second-year M.Sc. student, he is quantifying net emissions from forage production in Saskatchewan under Dr. Smyth’s supervision.
How does the decline in public sector R&D funding and increased private sector investment impact agricultural innovation, specifically varietal development?
Most varietal development occurs in the public sector, and the decline in public sector R&D funding (from 57% in 1960 to 47% in 2011) raises concerns about the pace of agricultural innovation.
What are the implications of the triple challenge of sustainable development, and how can livelihoods, equality, and climate metrics be quantified in agriculture?
The triple challenge involves agricultural intensification, reduced environmental impact, and maintaining economic wellbeing. New expectations include accounting for livelihoods, equality, and climate metrics, posing challenges in quantification.
Define sustainability and resiliency in the context of agriculture, and explain the challenges in determining causal relationships in a dynamic agricultural system.
Sustainability involves balancing economic, environmental, and social aspects. Resiliency is the ability to recover from disturbances. Challenges in determining causal relationships make quantifying in a dynamic agricultural system difficult.
Summarize the main concerns raised in the media about livestock production, including animal welfare, climate change, and species extinction.
Concerns include animal welfare, climate change implications, and the potential extinction of species due to factory farming. Global meat production contributes to 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions.
How does the demand for meat contribute to the environmental challenges associated with livestock production?
Increasing global demand for meat, especially beef and lamb, drives deforestation and requires more farmland, contributing to environmental challenges.
Identify the two main factors driving the environmental problem associated with global meat production.
Rising wealth in developing countries leads to increased meat consumption, and meat production, especially beef and lamb, requires extensive land use.
Explain the potential impacts of increasing meat consumption in developing countries on biodiversity.
Increased meat consumption in developing countries poses threats to biodiversity, as it necessitates more land for the industry, leading to potential species extinction.
Why is biological diversity considered crucial for environmental sustainability, and how does it relate to the triple challenge in agriculture?
Biological diversity is crucial for environmental sustainability and relates to the triple challenge. Challenges in building a benchmark arise due to subjective views on invasive species.
What are the challenges in building a starting benchmark for biodiversity, considering the subjective nature of research on invasive species?
Biological diversity is crucial for environmental sustainability and relates to the triple challenge. Challenges in building a benchmark arise due to subjective views on invasive species.
Describe Canada’s commitment to biodiversity as outlined in the COP 15 Conference in 2022.
From COP 15, Canada commits to the Global Biodiversity Framework, addressing invasive species, pollution risks, and negative impacts on biodiversity.
How can agriculture research align with the 2030 targets for action to reduce pollution risks and negative impacts on biodiversity?
Agriculture research aligns with 2030 targets by focusing on reducing pollution risks from excess nutrients, pesticides, and plastic pollution.
Summarize the key points of Target 7 in the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework and its relevance to agri-food research.
Target 7 aims to reduce pollution risks, emphasizing nutrient cycling, pesticide reduction, and eliminating plastic pollution.
How do extensive feeding systems contribute to reducing emissions and plastic waste in agriculture?
Swath-grazing, bale grazing, and stockpiling contribute to reducing emissions and plastic waste in agriculture.
Explain the potential benefits and challenges of reducing pollution risks from excess nutrients, pesticides, and plastic pollution in agriculture.
Reducing excess nutrients, pesticides, and plastic pollution has benefits but poses challenges in implementation and trade-offs.
Discuss the role of grazing practices in improving habitats for rangeland birds and limiting the encroachment of invasive species.
Grazing practices improve habitats for rangeland birds, limit invasive species, and enhance carbon sequestration.
How does livestock manure contribute to improved nutrient cycling above and below the soil surface?
Livestock manure contributes to improved nutrient cycling above and below the soil surface.
Explain the interrelations between aboveground biodiversity and belowground biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems.
Aboveground biodiversity affects belowground biodiversity, improving nutrient cycling and ecosystem health.
What are the benefits of seeded forage blends in promoting biodiversity in agricultural systems?
Seeded forage blends offer improved yields, lower nutrient requirements, and provide pollinator habitat.
Provide an overview of the outlined topics related to biodiversity in the livestock sector.
Outlined topics cover livestock biodiversity, native grasslands, grazing importance, and nutrient cycles.
How do native grasslands contribute to biological diversity, and what challenges are associated with their decline in Saskatchewan?
Native grasslands contribute to biological diversity, supporting various species, including those at risk.
Discuss the importance of grazing in maintaining biodiversity in rangelands and preventing habitat loss for grassland birds.
Grazing is crucial for maintaining biodiversity in rangelands, preventing habitat loss for grassland birds.
How does grain and oilseed production positively impact belowground biodiversity?
Grain and oilseed production positively impact belowground biodiversity by relying on belowground biota.
Explain the importance of continuous cropping and crop rotations in supporting belowground biota.
Continuous cropping and crop rotations support belowground biota, enhancing soil health and biological diversity.