global food production as an interconnected system

Question 1

physical conditions for growing food (5)

Answer 1

temperature

light

water

air

soil

Question 2

temperature importance for food growth (4)

Answer 2

too high or too low may reduce crop yield

crops have different optimum temperatures

rice = 16-27 degrees

wheat = 15-20 degrees

Question 3

light importance for food growth (2)

Answer 3

required for photosynthesis

different light requirements for crops but intensity and duration both important

Question 4

water importance in food growth (2)

Answer 4

compromises 80% of plant and is major determinant of productivity and quality

essential for germination and photosynthesis and as a solvent for sugar & mineral transport

Question 5

air importance in food growth (2)

Answer 5

photosynthesis requires CO2 and respiration requires O2 from atmosphere

needed for nitrogen in form of nitrates - fixed by bacteria

Question 6

soil importance in food growth (2)

Answer 6

mixture of mineral and organic matter that supplies water, nutrients and minerals to plants

provides support in which roots can develop

Question 7

what are the two inputs in the food production system (2)

Answer 7

extensive

intensive

Question 8

what is extensive farming

Answer 8

large scale - commercial farming with low inputs of capital and labour - low yield per hectare but high yields per capita

e.g. Canadian prairies cereal farming

Question 9

what is intensive farming

Answer 9

small scale with high labour and capital inputs - high yields per hectare

e.g. horticulture - netherlands

Question 10

what is shifting cultivation farming

Answer 10

confined to a few isolated areas with low population density and large areas of land - rotation of locations

e.g. amazon tribes

Question 11

what is sedentary farming

Answer 11

farmers remain in one place and cultivate the same land year on year

e.g. dairy + arable farming in the UK

Question 12

what is subsistence farming

Answer 12

provision of food by farmers for own consumption/ local community - vulnerable to system shocks

e.g. small scale farms in Africa

Question 13

what is commercial farming

Answer 13

farming for profit on a large scale - often with high capital inputs

e.g. cattle ranching - South America

Question 14

what is Arable farming

Answer 14

growing of crops on fairly level - well drained and fertile soil

e.g. the Nile Valley

Question 15

what Is pastoral farming

Answer 15

keeping of livestock - often in areas unsuitable for arable farming - can only continue up to the carrying capacity

e.g. hill sheep farming in Wales

Question 16

how much food is discarded due to quality control in AC’s

Answer 16

50%

Question 17

why is there food wastage in LIDC’s

Answer 17

due to crop failure and lack of efficient transport and storage